P-9.002 - Cultural Heritage Act

Updated to 1 June 2023

This document has official status.

chapter P-9.002

Cultural Heritage Act

CHAPTER I OBJECTS, DEFINITIONS AND SCOPE

1. The object of this Act is to promote, in the public interest and from a sustainable development perspective, the knowledge, protection, enhancement and transmission of cultural heritage, which is a reflection of a society’s identity.

It is also intended to promote the designation of deceased persons of historical importance and historic events and sites.

Cultural heritage consists of deceased persons of historical importance, historic events and sites, heritage documents, immovables, objects and sites, heritage cultural landscapes, and intangible heritage.

2011, c. 21, s. 1.

2. In this Act, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms mean or designate:

“archaeological property” and “archaeological site” : any property or site indicating prehistoric or historic human occupation;

“heritage cultural landscape” : a land area recognized by a community for its remarkable landscape features, which are the result of the interaction of natural and human factors and are worth conserving and, if applicable, enhancing because of their historical or emblematic interest, or their value as a source of identity;

“heritage document” : a medium on which intelligible information is inscribed in the form of words, sounds or images structured and delimited in a tangible or logical manner, or the information itself, including archives, which has artistic, emblematic, ethnological, historical, scientific, social or technological value;

“heritage ensemble” : documents or objects that, when gathered into a collection or otherwise, have archeological, artistic, emblematic, ethnological, historical, scientific, social or technological value, including a group of artifacts or a collection of books, archives or works of art;

“heritage immovable” : an immovable property that has archaeological, architectural, artistic, emblematic, ethnological, historical, landscape, scientific, social, urbanistic or technological value, in particular a building, a structure, vestiges or land;

“heritage object” : a movable property, other than a heritage document, that has archaeological, artistic, emblematic, ethnological, historical, scientific, social or technological value, in particular a work of art, an instrument, furniture or an artefact;

“heritage property” : a heritage document, ensemble, immovable, object or site;

“heritage site” : a place, a group of immovables or, in the case of a heritage site referred to in section 58, a land area that is of interest for its archaeological, architectural, artistic, emblematic, ethnological, historical, identity, landscape, scientific, social, urbanistic or technological value;

“intangible heritage” : the skills, knowledge, expressions, practices and representations handed down from generation to generation and constantly recreated, in conjunction with any cultural objects or spaces associated with them, that a community or group recognizes as part of its cultural heritage, the knowledge, protection, transmission or enhancement of which is in the public interest; and

“protection area” : an area surrounding a classified heritage immovable, defined by the Minister to protect the immovable.

2011, c. 21, s. 2; 2021, c. 10, s. 1.

2.1. For the purposes of Chapters IV, V and VI, the urban agglomeration council of Ville de Montréal, Ville de Québec, Ville de Longueuil, Ville de La Tuque and Municipalité des Îles-de-la-Madeleine exercises the functions of a regional county municipality, with the necessary modifications. Expenditures incurred in the exercise of those functions are considered to be urban agglomeration expenditures within the meaning of the Act respecting the exercise of certain municipal powers in certain urban agglomerations (chapter E-20.001). The powers and responsibilities of the clerk-treasurer of the regional county municipality are exercised by the clerk of the central municipality.

2021, c. 10, s. 2; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

3. The provisions of this chapter, the provisions of Chapter III other than those relating to designation, the provisions of Chapter IV that apply to a site classified as or declared a heritage site or to a protection area under Division I of Chapter V, and the provisions of Chapter VII, those of Divisions I and II of Chapter VIII and those of Chapter XI are binding on the Government, on government departments and on bodies that are mandataries of the State.

2011, c. 21, s. 3.

4. Subject to sections 158 to 165 of the Act respecting land use planning and development (chapter A-19.1), sections 47 to 51, 64 to 67 and 76 of this Act apply despite any inconsistent provision of a general law or special Act or of letters patent of a municipality.

2011, c. 21, s. 4.

CHAPTER II CULTURAL HERITAGE REGISTER AND INVENTORIES

5. A register must be kept at the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications in which all elements designated, classified, declared, identified or recognized under this Act as cultural heritage must be entered.

The register must describe the elements of cultural heritage in sufficient detail.

The register must also give the name of the owner of classified heritage documents, objects and ensembles and state the alienations of which the Minister is notified under section 27.

2011, c. 21, s. 5; 2021, c. 10, s. 3.

6. The registrar of cultural heritage, designated by the Minister from among the department’s personnel, is responsible for

(1)  keeping the cultural heritage register;

(2)  registering the elements of cultural heritage referred to in section 5 and any other particulars required under this Act; and

(3)  issuing certified extracts from the register to any interested person on payment of the fees set by regulation of the Government.

No certified extract regarding a heritage document, object or ensemble may be issued however without the consent of the person having ownership or custody of it.

The Minister may also designate, from among the members of the department’s personnel, a person who is to exercise the functions of the registrar in the event that the registrar is absent or unable to act.

2011, c. 21, s. 6; 2021, c. 10, s. 4.

7. The certified extracts issued by the registrar are authentic. The signature of the registrar on the copy of a document is proof that the document exists and is lawfully in the registrar’s possession.

A copy signed by the registrar is equivalent to the original itself in a court of justice, and any document purporting to bear the registrar’s signature is presumed to do so.

2011, c. 21, s. 7.

8. The Minister contributes to the knowledge of cultural heritage by making inventories. The Minister establishes the manner in which the inventories are made, consigned and disseminated.

2011, c. 21, s. 8.

CHAPTER III DESIGNATION AND PROTECTION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE BY THE MINISTER AND THE GOVERNMENT

DIVISION I GENERAL PROVISIONS

9. In this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise, “council” means the Conseil du patrimoine culturel du Québec established under section 82.

2011, c. 21, s. 9.

10. The designation or declaration of something as an element of cultural heritage under this chapter is withdrawn in the same manner as it is given, except with respect to the withdrawal of the designation as a cultural heritage landscape.

2011, c. 21, s. 10.

11. Applications for the issue of an authorization provided for in subdivision 4 of Division IV, subdivision 3 of Division V or Division V.1 must be filed using the form prescribed by the Minister.

2011, c. 21, s. 11; 2021, c. 10, s. 5.

DIVISION I.1 DOCUMENTS DRAWN UP BY THE MINISTER

2021, c. 10, s. 6.

11.1. In order to promote transparency and predictability of the Minister’s action in the carrying out of this chapter, the Minister must draw up the following documents:

(1)  a consultation policy;

(2)  a method for assessing the heritage interest of property, elements of intangible heritage, deceased persons of historical importance and historic events and sites; and

(3)  a grid for categorizing classified heritage immovables and sites.

2021, c. 10, s. 6.

11.2. The purpose of the consultation policy is to foster the participation of persons or bodies concerned by the guidelines to be followed regarding knowledge, protection, enhancement and transmission of cultural heritage.

The consultation policy must set out, among other things, its objects and a consultation process adapted to its objects or to the persons or bodies consulted.

The policy must also provide for the establishment of a partners panel and determine its composition and operation and the topics that must be submitted to panel members for consultation.

2021, c. 10, s. 6.

11.3. The purpose of the method for assessing the heritage interest of property, elements of intangible heritage, deceased persons of historical importance and historic events and sites is to establish their heritage value so as to guide the decision on, as applicable, their classification, their designation or their categorization, in accordance with this Act.

2021, c. 10, s. 6.

11.4. The grid for categorizing classified heritage immovables and sites must make it possible to qualify their heritage interest according to predetermined categories. The grid must specify the conservation objectives associated with each category of immovables or sites. The category of an immovable or site is used in analyzing certain applications for the issue of an authorization under subdivision 4 of Division IV, subdivision 3 of Division V or Division V.1.

2021, c. 10, s. 6.

11.5. The Minister must make public the consultation policy, the method for assessing the heritage interest of property, elements of intangible heritage, deceased persons of historical importance and historic events and sites, as well as the grid for categorizing classified heritage immovables and sites.

The Minister must also make public a list of cultural heritage elements that are under consideration for a designation, a classification, a declaration or the establishment of boundaries in accordance with Chapter III.

2021, c. 10, s. 6.

DIVISION II DESIGNATION OF ELEMENTS OF INTANGIBLE HERITAGE AND HISTORIC FIGURES, EVENTS AND SITES

12. The Minister is responsible for the commemoration of Québec’s deceased premiers and their grave sites.

2011, c. 21, s. 12.

13. The Minister may, on the Minister’s own initiative or on a proposal from any interested person and after obtaining the opinion of the council, give heritage designation to an element of intangible heritage, to a deceased person of historical importance, or to an historic event or site.

2011, c. 21, s. 13; 2021, c. 10, s. 7.

14. A designation is granted through a notice of designation signed by the Minister.

The notice must contain the description of the element of intangible heritage concerned or identify the historic figure, event or site concerned and state the reasons for the designation.

The notice must be published in the Gazette officielle du Québec and at least once in a newspaper in the place or region concerned.

2011, c. 21, s. 14.

15. The registrar must enter the designated element of intangible heritage or the designated historic figure, event or site in the cultural heritage register.

2011, c. 21, s. 15.

16. The designation takes effect on the date the notice of designation is published in the Gazette officielle du Québec.

2011, c. 21, s. 16.

DIVISION III DESIGNATION OF HERITAGE CULTURAL LANDSCAPES

17. The Government may, on the recommendation of the Minister, give heritage designation to a cultural landscape.

2011, c. 21, s. 17.

18. The heritage designation of a cultural landscape must be requested by all the local municipalities, regional county municipalities and metropolitan communities whose territory includes all or part of the land area concerned. The application must be filed with the Minister along with

(1)  the boundaries of the land area;

(2)  a landscape diagnosis that includes

(a)  quantitative and qualitative analyses detailing the landscape features of the land area from a physical and socio-cultural standpoint;

(b)  the description of the landscape features which, in the applicants’ opinion, are remarkable and result from the interaction of natural and human factors; and

(c)  a demonstration that the remarkable landscape features are recognized by the community concerned; the demonstration must include a consultation of the citizens and groups present in the community; and

(3)  a heritage cultural landscape charter adopted by the applicants that presents the principles embraced and the commitments made by the community to ensure the protection and enhancement of the landscape.

Before the heritage designation application is made and not later than 30 days before the meeting of the local heritage council referred to in section 117, at which all interested persons may make representations, the clerk or the clerk-treasurer of each municipality must give public notice of the place, date and time of the meeting. For that purpose, the second paragraph of section 123 applies.

Sixty days after the date of the public notice and after obtaining the opinion of the local heritage council, the council of the municipality may adopt a resolution regarding the application for the heritage designation of the cultural landscape in question.

2011, c. 21, s. 18; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

19. After obtaining the opinion of the council, the Minister establishes whether, in the Minister’s opinion, the application entitles the applicants to draw up a conservation plan; the Minister notifies the clerk or the clerk-treasurer of any applicant local municipality, regional county municipality or metropolitan community of the decision.

2011, c. 21, s. 19; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

20. Applicants who are notified by the Minister that their application entitles them to draw up a conservation plan may obtain the heritage designation of the cultural landscape only if they draw up and submit, to the Minister’s satisfaction, the conservation plan they intend to implement and administer should the designation be granted. The plan must include the identification of the land area involved, a description of its economic, social and cultural uses, and the measures introduced to protect and, if applicable, enhance the landscape.

In order to help applicants draw up their conservation plan, the Minister requests the assistance of other government departments.

2011, c. 21, s. 20.

21. After obtaining the opinion of the council with respect to the conservation plan drawn up by the applicants, the Minister may recommend that the Government give heritage designation to the cultural landscape.

2011, c. 21, s. 21.

22. An order made under section 17 must state the boundaries of the land area concerned and be published in the Gazette officielle du Québec.

A copy of the order must be sent as information to the clerk or the clerk-treasurer of each local municipality, regional county municipality and metropolitan community concerned.

The order takes effect on the date of its publication in the Gazette officielle du Québec. The registrar then enters the designated cultural landscape in the cultural heritage register.

In addition, the Minister must publish a notice of the order in a newspaper in the area referred to in the order or, if there is no newspaper in that area, in a newspaper in the nearest region.

2011, c. 21, s. 22; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

23. Despite any inconsistent provision, any change made by the council of a regional county municipality or a metropolitan community to its land use planning and development plan or its metropolitan land use and development plan for the sole purpose of describing the designated landscape is made by by-law adopted without formality that comes into force on the day it is adopted. As soon as possible, a certified copy of the by-law is notified to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy in the manner set out in the Act respecting land use planning and development (chapter A-19.1).

2011, c. 21, s. 23; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP).

24. Every five years, any local municipality concerned that applied for and obtained the heritage designation of a cultural landscape must submit a report to the Minister on the implementation of the conservation plan.

The local municipality must also inform the Minister of its intention to make a change to the conservation plan at least 60 days before the change is adopted.

2011, c. 21, s. 24.

25. On the recommendation of the Minister, who obtains the opinion of the council, the Government may withdraw the heritage designation of a cultural landscape if it is of the opinion that,

(1)  the conservation plan is not being applied; or

(2)  the conservation plan was changed in a manner that compromises the landscape protection and, if applicable, the landscape enhancement objectives.

A copy of the order must be sent as information to the clerk or the clerk-treasurer of each local municipality, regional county municipality and metropolitan community concerned.

The order takes effect on the date of its publication in the Gazette officielle du Québec. The registrar then notes the withdrawal of the heritage designation of the cultural landscape and the date of the withdrawal in the register.

In addition, the Minister must publish a notice of the order in a newspaper in the area referred to in the order or, if there is no newspaper in that area, in a newspaper in the nearest region.

2011, c. 21, s. 25; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

DIVISION IV CLASSIFICATION OF HERITAGE PROPERTY

§ 1 . — General provisions

26. The owner of classified heritage property must take the necessary measures to preserve the heritage value of the property.

2011, c. 21, s. 26.

27. A person who acquires ownership of a classified heritage document, object or ensemble must give notice of it to the Minister within 90 days after the property is acquired by or put in the possession of the person.

2011, c. 21, s. 27; 2021, c. 10, s. 8.

28. Restrictions to the right to dispose of a classified heritage document, object or ensemble and the rights under this Act with respect to such a document, object or ensemble do not require publication in the register of personal and movable real rights.

2011, c. 21, s. 28; 2021, c. 10, s. 9.

§ 2 . — Decision to classify

29. After obtaining the opinion of the council, the Minister may, on the Minister’s own initiative or on a proposal from any interested person, classify all or part of any heritage property the knowledge, protection, enhancement or transmission of which is in the public interest.

For that purpose, the Minister must use the assessment method provided for in paragraph 2 of section 11.1 and, in the case of an immovable or a site, the categorization grid provided for in paragraph 3 of that section.

2011, c. 21, s. 29; 2021, c. 10, s. 10.

30. Before obtaining the opinion of the council, the Minister must send a notice of intent to proceed with the classification. In the case of a heritage document, object or ensemble, the notice is sent to the owner or the custodian of the property. In the case of a heritage immovable or site, the notice is sent to the person entered as the owner in the land register and to the clerk or the clerk-treasurer of the local municipality in whose territory the heritage property is situated. In addition, in the case of a heritage immovable or site, the Minister must register the notice of intent in the land register.

The notice of intent must contain the description of the property concerned and, in the case of an immovable or site, the proposed category, state the reasons for the notice and include a note that any interested person may make representations to the council within 60 days after the notice is sent. If applicable, the notice must state that the Minister has requested the council to hold a public consultation.

The notice of intent must also be published at least once in a newspaper in the place or region concerned.

2011, c. 21, s. 30; 2021, c. 10, s. 11; 2021, c. 31, s. 132; 2021, c. 10, s. 11.

31. Before the one-year period provided for in the third paragraph of section 32 expires, the Minister may extend the period by one year by sending a notice of the extension to the owner or custodian of the heritage document, object or ensemble or, in the case of a heritage immovable or site, by sending a notice of the extension to the person entered as the owner in the land register and to the clerk or the clerk-treasurer of the local municipality in whose territory the heritage property is situated.

In addition, in the case of a heritage immovable or site, the Minister must enter the notice of extension of the notice of intent in the land register.

The notice of extension must contain the description of the property concerned and, in the case of an immovable or site, the proposed category and be published at least once in a newspaper in the place or region concerned.

2011, c. 21, s. 31; 2021, c. 10, s. 12; 2021, c. 31, s. 132; 2021, c. 10, s. 12.

32. Ninety days after the date the notice of intent required in section 30 is sent, the Minister may sign a notice of classification containing the description of the heritage property concerned and, in the case of an immovable or site, its category, and stating the reasons for the classification and, if applicable, for the choice of its category.

The registrar then enters the classified heritage property in the cultural heritage register.

The notice of intent given by the Minister under section 30 is without effect if the notice of classification, along with a list of the elements that characterize the heritage property, is not sent to the owner or custodian of the property within a period of one year after the date the notice of intent is sent or within two years after that date if the period was extended.

2011, c. 21, s. 32; 2021, c. 10, s. 13.

33. In the case of a heritage immovable or site, the notice of classification must, at the Minister’s behest,

(1)  be sent to the clerk or the clerk-treasurer of the local municipality in whose territory the heritage immovable or site is situated, along with a list of the elements that characterize it; and

(2)  be registered in the land register.

2011, c. 21, s. 33; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

34. Classification takes effect on the date the notice of intent required in section 30 is sent.

The notice of classification is published in the Gazette officielle du Québec and at least once in a newspaper in the place or region concerned.

2011, c. 21, s. 34.

35. The effects of classification persist under all conditions until the property is declassified.

2011, c. 21, s. 35.

36. Declassification of a heritage property is carried out in the manner set out in this section.

Ninety days after the notice of intent to declassify a heritage property is sent, and after obtaining the opinion of the council, the Minister may sign a notice of declassification containing the description of the heritage property concerned and, in the case of an immovable or site, its category, and stating the reasons for the declassification. The notice of declassification may be signed within a period of one year from the date the notice of intent is sent or within two years after that date if the period was extended.

Declassification takes effect on the date of the notice of declassification.

The notice is published in the Gazette officielle du Québec and at least once in a newspaper in the place or region concerned.

The registrar then notes the declassification in the cultural heritage register.

At the Minister’s behest, the notice, along with a list of the elements that characterize the heritage property, must be sent to the owner or custodian of the property and, in the case of a heritage immovable or site, the notice must also, at the Minister’s behest,

(1)  be sent to the clerk or the clerk-treasurer of the local municipality in whose territory the heritage immovable or site is situated, along with a list of the elements that characterize it; and

(2)  be registered in the land register.

2011, c. 21, s. 36; 2021, c. 31, s. 132; 2021, c. 10, s. 14.

36.1. If the Minister decides not to classify an immovable or site, the Minister must notify the local municipality in whose territory the immovable or site is situated so that the municipality can determine whether it should be recognized.

The notice sent to the local municipality must include reasons in support of the Minister’s decision not to classify the immovable or site concerned.

2021, c. 10, s. 15.

§ 3 . — Establishing the boundaries of a protection area

2011, c. 21, Sd. 3; 2021, c. 10, s. 16.

37. (Repealed).

2011, c. 21, s. 37; 2021, c. 10, s. 17.

38. (Repealed).

2011, c. 21, s. 38; 2021, c. 10, s. 17.

39. (Repealed).

2011, c. 21, s. 39; 2021, c. 10, s. 17.

40. The Minister may, by order, on the Minister’s own initiative or on a proposal from any interested person and after obtaining the opinion of the council, establish the boundaries of the protection area of a classified heritage immovable.

However, the perimeter of the protection area must not exceed a distance of 152 m from the classified heritage immovable.

2011, c. 21, s. 40; 2021, c. 10, s. 18.

41. Before obtaining the opinion of the council, the Minister must send a notice of intent to proceed with the establishment of a protection area, along with a plan of the proposed area, to each person entered in the land register as the owner of an immovable located in the area, and to the clerk or the clerk-treasurer of the local municipality in whose territory the area is situated.

The notice of intent must set the perimeter of the proposed protection area and contain the description of the immovables included in the area, state the reasons for the notice and include a note that any interested person may make representations to the council within 60 days after the notice is sent.

The notice of intent must also be published at least once in a newspaper in the place or region concerned.

2011, c. 21, s. 41; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

42. Ninety days after the date the notice of intent referred to in section 41 is sent, the Minister may, by order, establish the protection area of a classified heritage immovable. The order must give the boundaries of the protection area, contain the description of the immovables included in the area and state the reasons for establishing the protection area. A plan of the protection area must be attached.

The notice of intent given by the Minister under section 41 is without effect if a copy of the documents required in section 44 is not sent to the owner within a period of one year after the date the notice of intent is sent.

2011, c. 21, s. 42.

43. The provisions of subdivision 4 regarding protection areas apply to the area referred to in the notice of intent required in section 41 from the date of notification.

The order is published in the Gazette officielle du Québec and the order and the plan attached to it must be published at least once in a newspaper in the place or region concerned.

The registrar must enter a note in the cultural heritage register on the existence of a protection area for the classified heritage immovable concerned.

2011, c. 21, s. 43.

44. At the Minister’s behest, a copy of the order and of the plan attached to it must be sent to the owner of the immovable concerned and to the clerk or the clerk-treasurer of the local municipality in whose territory the protection area is situated.

2011, c. 21, s. 44; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

45. The Minister may, by order and after obtaining the opinion of the council, abolish the protection area established to protect a classified heritage immovable.

The abolition of the protection area comes into effect on the date of the order.

The registrar must then enter a note in the cultural heritage register on the abolition of the protection area for the classified heritage immovable concerned.

The order is published in the Gazette officielle du Québec and at least once in a newspaper in the place or region concerned.

2011, c. 21, s. 45.

46. At the Minister’s behest, a copy of the order abolishing the protection area must be sent to each person entered in the land register as the owner of an immovable situated in the protection area and to the clerk or the clerk-treasurer of the local municipality in whose territory the protection area was situated.

2011, c. 21, s. 46; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

§ 4 . — Authorizations with respect to classified heritage property and protection areas

47. No classified heritage property may be transported out of Québec without the Minister’s authorization.

2011, c. 21, s. 47.

48. No person may, without the Minister’s authorization, alter, restore, repair, change in any way or demolish all or part of a classified heritage property or, in the case of an immovable, move it or use it as a backing for a construction.

The first paragraph does not apply to classified heritage sites.

2011, c. 21, s. 48.

49. No person may divide, subdivide or parcel out an immovable, make a construction, as defined by regulation of the Minister, or demolish all or part of an immovable in a protection area without the Minister’s authorization.

This section does not apply to the division, subdivision or parcelling out of an immovable on the vertical cadastral plan.

2011, c. 21, s. 49; 2021, c. 10, s. 19.

50. A person who applies for the Minister’s authorization under section 48 or 49 must pay the fees determined by government regulation for the examination of the application.

A person who performs an act described in section 47, 48 or 49 must comply with any conditions the Minister sets in the authorization.

2011, c. 21, s. 50.

51. The authorization referred to in sections 47, 48 and 49 is withdrawn if the project which is the object of the authorization is not begun within one year after the authorization is given or if the project is interrupted for more than one year.

If a project is interrupted, the withdrawal of the authorization does not prevent the Minister from obtaining an order under section 195.

2011, c. 21, s. 51.

52. No person may sell or give away a classified heritage document, object or ensemble, without the Minister’s authorization,

(1)  to a government or department or agency of a government, other than the Gouvernement du Québec;

(2)  to a natural person who is not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (S.C. 2001, c. 27); or

(3)  to a legal person whose principal establishment is not situated in Québec.

In each case, the authorization must be attached to the deed of sale or the deed of gift.

2011, c. 21, s. 52; 2021, c. 10, s. 20.

53. Classified heritage property in the domain of the State may not be sold, conveyed by emphyteusis or given away without the Minister’s authorization.

In each case, the authorization must be attached to the deed of sale, the act constituting emphyteusis or the deed of gift.

2011, c. 21, s. 53.

Not in force

53.1. For any application for the issue of an authorization under this subdivision, the information and documents determined by regulation of the Minister, if applicable, must be attached to the form provided for in section 11.

Applications that do not include the information and documents determined by regulation are not admissible.

2021, c. 10, s. 21.

Not in force

53.2. The Minister has 90 days after an admissible application is received to render a decision concerning that application. However, the time limit is 120 days if the application is submitted to the council in accordance with section 83.1.

If compliance with the time limit prescribed in the first paragraph does not appear possible to the Minister, the Minister must, before the expiry of that time limit, give notice of it to the applicant, stating the additional time required and the reasons for it.

2021, c. 10, s. 21.

Not in force

53.3. The Minister may require the applicant to provide, within the time and in the manner the Minister determines, any additional information or documents the Minister considers necessary for analyzing an application for the issue of an authorization under this subdivision. Such an application or a prior notice sent under section 5 of the Act respecting administrative justice (chapter J-3) interrupts the time limits provided for in section 53.2 for the duration of the period granted to produce information or documents, or to submit observations, as applicable.

The Minister may refuse to issue the authorization if the applicant has not, within the time prescribed, provided the information or documents required under the first paragraph.

2021, c. 10, s. 21.

53.4. For the purpose of analyzing an application for the issue of an authorization under section 48, the Minister may consider the following elements, among others:

(1)  the category of the classified heritage immovable;

(2)  the effect of the act on the heritage value of, and elements that characterize, the classified property;

(3)  the effect of the act on the enhancement of the classified property;

(4)  the effect of the act on the classified property’s integrity and authenticity;

(5)  the effect of the act on a potential or confirmed archeological property or site associated with the classified heritage immovable;

(6)  the effect of the act on the landscaping of the classified heritage immovable;

(7)  the compatibility of the materials with the classified property;

(8)  the architectural consistency of the act with the classified heritage immovable;

(9)  respect for traditional know-how in the methods used to carry out the act; and

(10)  the effects of the act on maintaining the constructive systems of the classified heritage immovable and their components.

2021, c. 10, s. 21.

53.5. For the purpose of analyzing an application for the issue of an authorization under section 49, the Minister may consider the following elements, among others:

(1)  the effect of the act on the enhancement and protection of the classified heritage immovable for which a protection area has been established;

(2)  the effect of the act on the context surrounding the classified heritage immovable;

(3)  the effect of the act on an element from the same ensemble, period or development logic as the classified heritage immovable associated with the protection area, such as a building, an architectural feature or a landscaping feature;

(4)  the effect of the act on a potential or confirmed archaeological property or site associated with the classified heritage immovable; and

(5)  the effect of the act on the landscaping of the classified heritage immovable.

2021, c. 10, s. 21.

53.6. If an authorization under section 49 was not obtained prior to the division, subdivision or parcelling out of an immovable situated in a protection area, the Minister may issue the authorization after the act has been completed if the repercussions of the act on the heritage value of the classified heritage immovable are, in the Minister’s opinion, acceptable.

In the authorization, the Minister may require the carrying out of any corrective measure, including work and works, on the conditions set by the Minister.

The authorization may not be issued if the Minister previously refused to authorize the act concerned or if the conditions of an authorization issued for the act were not complied with.

Despite section 196, the act authorized in accordance with the first paragraph may no longer be annulled because of a failure to obtain the Minister’s authorization prior to the performance of the act, and the related registration in the land register may no longer be cancelled for that reason.

Section 53.2 does not apply to an application made under this section.

The Minister must make public any authorization issued in accordance with this section.

2021, c. 10, s. 21.

§ 5 . — Minister’s right of pre-emption

54. No person may, without giving the Minister at least 60 days’ prior written notice, sell

(1)  a classified heritage document, object or ensemble; or

(2)  a classified heritage immovable or an immovable situated on a classified heritage site.

The prior written notice must contain the description of the property, state the name and domicile of its owner and the name of the person interested in acquiring it. The notice must also contain the price the person interested in acquiring it is willing to pay and the owner is willing to accept.

2011, c. 21, s. 54; 2021, c. 10, s. 22.

55. In the case of the public sale of a document, object, ensemble or immovable mentioned in section 54, the notice required under section 54 must be given to the Minister once the bid has been made and the name of the person interested in making the acquisition and the price that person is willing to pay are known.

2011, c. 21, s. 55; 2021, c. 10, s. 23.

56. The Minister may acquire classified heritage property referred to in the first paragraph of section 54 by preference over any other purchaser at the price the purchaser is willing to pay. To exercise this right of pre-emption, the Minister must, within the period of 60 days provided for in section 54, notify in writing the intention to acquire the heritage property to the person offering to sell it.

2011, c. 21, s. 56; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP).

57. At the expiry of the period provided for in section 54, the classified heritage property may be sold to the person interested in acquiring it at the price submitted to the Minister under that section if the Minister has not notified the intention of exercising the right of pre-emption referred to in section 56.

2011, c. 21, s. 57; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP).

DIVISION V DECLARATION OF HERITAGE SITES BY THE GOVERNMENT

§ 1 . — Decision to declare a land area a heritage site

58. The Government may, on the recommendation of the Minister who must obtain the opinion of the council, declare as a heritage site any land area the knowledge, protection, transmission or enhancement of which is in the public interest.

The Government’s decision must be made within three years after the publication of the notice of recommendation referred to in section 59 in the Gazette officielle du Québec.

2011, c. 21, s. 58.

59. A copy of the Minister’s recommendation must be sent as information to the clerk or the clerk-treasurer of the local municipality.

The recommendation must contain the boundaries of the land area concerned and state the reasons for the recommendation.

Notice of the recommendation must be published in the Gazette officielle du Québec and in a newspaper in the land area concerned or, if there is no newspaper in that land area, in a newspaper in the nearest region, with a statement that

(1)  the council will be holding a public consultation;

(2)  at the expiry of at least 120 days after publication, the recommendation will be submitted to the Government; and

(3)  if an order declaring the land area to be a heritage site is made, it will take effect on the date the notice of the recommendation is published in the Gazette officielle du Québec.

2011, c. 21, s. 59; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

60. Orders made under section 58 must include the boundaries of the land area declared a heritage site and state the reasons for the declaration, and must be published in the Gazette officielle du Québec.

The registrar must enter the heritage site in the cultural heritage register.

The order takes effect on the date the notice provided for in the third paragraph of section 59 is published in the Gazette officielle du Québec.

A copy of the order must be sent as information to the clerk or the clerk-treasurer of the local municipality. In addition, the Minister must publish a notice of the order in a newspaper in the land area referred to in the order or, if there is no newspaper in that land area, in a newspaper in the nearest region.

2011, c. 21, s. 60; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

§ 2 . — Directives applicable to declared heritage sites

2011, c. 21, Sd. 2; 2021, c. 10, s. 24.

61. For each land area declared a heritage site, the Minister must establish a directive to determine the Minister’s guidelines concerning the application of the elements that may be considered for the purpose of analyzing an application for the issue of an authorization under section 64 or 65, in accordance with section 67.2.

2011, c. 21, s. 61; 2021, c. 10, s. 25.

62. Before establishing or updating a directive referred to in section 61, the Minister must obtain the opinion of the council and consult any local municipality on whose territory the heritage site is situated.

2011, c. 21, s. 62; 2021, c. 10, s. 26.

63. The Minister must send the local municipality a copy of the directive referred to in section 61 or its update.

2011, c. 21, s. 63; 2021, c. 10, s. 27.

§ 3 . — Minister’s authorization with respect to declared and classified heritage sites

64. No person may, in a land area declared a heritage site or on a classified heritage site, divide, subdivide or parcel out an immovable, change the arrangement or ground plan of an immovable, build, repair or change anything related to the exterior appearance of an immovable, demolish all or part of an immovable or erect a new construction without the Minister’s authorization.

In addition, no person may excavate the ground even inside a building on a heritage site referred to in the first paragraph without the Minister’s authorization. However, if the purpose of the excavation is a burial or disinterment and none of the acts listed in the first paragraph are carried out, the Minister’s authorization is not required.

This section does not apply to the division, subdivision or parcelling out of an immovable on the vertical cadastral plan.

2011, c. 21, s. 64; 2021, c. 10, s. 28.

65. No person may post a new sign or billboard or alter, replace or demolish any sign or billboard on a land area declared a heritage site or on a classified heritage site, without the Minister’s authorization. To that end, the Minister has full control over the appearance of, materials used for and support structures of signs and billboards and over their effect on the premises.

2011, c. 21, s. 65.

66. A person who applies for the Minister’s authorization under section 64 or 65 must pay the fees determined by government regulation for the examination of the application.

A person who performs an act referred to in section 64 or 65 on a classified heritage site must comply with the conditions the Minister may set in the authorization. On a declared heritage site, the person must comply with the conditions determined by a regulation made by the Government under subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph of section 80.1, if applicable, and with the conditions the Minister may set in the authorization in relation to any act that is not referred to in a regulation or for which no regulation determines all the conditions for carrying out the act.

2011, c. 21, s. 66; 2021, c. 10, s. 29.

67. The authorization referred to in sections 64 and 65 is withdrawn if the project authorized is not begun within one year after the authorization is given or if the project is interrupted for more than one year.

If a project is interrupted, the withdrawal of the authorization does not prevent the Minister from obtaining an order under section 195.

2011, c. 21, s. 67.

67.1. Sections 53.1 to 53.3 apply to an authorization referred to in this subdivision, with the necessary modifications, subject to the fifth paragraph of section 67.3.

2021, c. 10, s. 30.

See 2021, c. 10, s. 143 (2).

67.2. For the purpose of analyzing an application for the issue of an authorization under section 64 or 65, the Minister may consider the following elements, among others:

(1)  in the case of a classified heritage site, its category;

(2)  the effect of the act on the heritage value of the site;

(3)  the effect of the act on the elements that characterize the site, including the natural setting, road network, land division system, built environment, landscape units and visual qualities;

(4)  the effect of the act on any potential or confirmed archaeological property or site; and

(5)  the effect of the act on the conservation and enhancement of the buildings that contribute to the heritage value of the site.

2021, c. 10, s. 30.

67.3. If an authorization referred to in section 64 or 65 was not obtained prior to the division, subdivision or parcelling out of an immovable situated on a declared or classified heritage site, or prior to the performance, on a declared heritage site, of an act for which conditions have been determined by a regulation made by the Government under subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph of section 80.1, the Minister may issue the authorization after the act has begun or been completed if the repercussions of the act on the heritage value of the declared or classified heritage site are, in the Minister’s opinion, acceptable.

In the authorization, the Minister may require the carrying out of any corrective measure, including work and works, on the conditions set by the Minister.

The authorization may not be issued if the Minister previously refused to authorize the act concerned or if the conditions of an authorization issued for the act were not complied with.

Despite any provision to the contrary, an act authorized in accordance with the first paragraph may no longer be annulled because of a failure to obtain the Minister’s authorization prior to the performance of the act and, where the authorization is for the division, subdivision or parcelling out of an immovable, the related registration in the land register may no longer be cancelled for that reason.

Section 53.2 does not apply to an application made under this section.

The Minister must make public any authorization issued in accordance with this section.

2021, c. 10, s. 30.

DIVISION V.1 AUTHORIZATION CONCERNING CERTAIN ACTS WITH RESPECT TO PROTECTION AREAS AND DECLARED OR CLASSIFIED HERITAGE SITES

2021, c. 10, s. 30.

67.4. The Minister may issue an authorization for the division, subdivision or parcelling out of an immovable situated in a protection area or on a declared or classified heritage site or for the performance, on a declared heritage site, of an act for which conditions have been determined by a regulation made by the Government under subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph of section 80.1 where the act should have been the subject of an authorization under a provision of the Cultural Property Act (chapter B-4) and such an authorization was not obtained. The authorization may be issued only if the repercussions of the act on the heritage value of the classified heritage immovable for which a protection area has been established or on the heritage value of a declared or classified heritage site are, in the Minister’s opinion, acceptable.

In analyzing an application, the Minister may consider, among other things, the elements set out in section 53.5 or 67.2, depending on whether the act concerned was performed in a protection area or on a declared or classified heritage site.

The authorization may not be issued if the Minister previously refused to authorize the act concerned or if the conditions of an authorization issued for the act were not complied with.

In the authorization, the Minister may require the carrying out of any corrective measure, including work and works, on the conditions set by the Minister. Any person who carries out corrective measures in a protection area or on a classified heritage site must comply with the conditions the Minister may set. On a declared heritage site, the person must comply with the conditions determined by a regulation made by the Government under subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph of section 80.1, if applicable, and with the conditions that the Minister may set in the authorization in relation to the division, subdivision or parcelling out of an immovable, or in relation to any act for which no regulation determines all the conditions for carrying out the act.

The Minister must make public any authorization issued in accordance with this section.

2021, c. 10, s. 30.

67.5. If the Minister issues an authorization under section 67.4, the authorization is effective on being issued.

Despite any contrary provision, the act concerned may no longer be annulled because of a failure to obtain the Minister’s authorization prior to the performance of the act and, where the authorization concerns the division, subdivision or parcelling out of an immovable, the related registration in the land register may no longer be cancelled for that reason.

2021, c. 10, s. 30.

67.6. A person who applies for the Minister’s authorization under section 67.4 must pay the fees determined by government regulation for the examination of the application.

The Minister may require the applicant to provide, within the time and in the manner the Minister determines, any information or documents the Minister considers necessary for analyzing such an application.

The Minister may refuse to issue the authorization if the applicant has not, within the time prescribed, provided the information or documents required under the second paragraph.

2021, c. 10, s. 30.

67.7. The Minister’s authorization is withdrawn if the carrying out of the corrective measures, if applicable, is not begun within one year after the authorization is issued or if it is interrupted for more than one year.

In the case of an interruption, the withdrawal of the authorization does not prevent the Minister from obtaining an order under section 195.

2021, c. 10, s. 30.

DIVISION VI ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS AND DISCOVERIES

68. No person may carry out excavations or surveys to find archaeological property or sites in or on an immovable without having previously obtained an archaeological research permit from the Minister and paid the fees determined by government regulation for the examination of the permit application.

2011, c. 21, s. 68.

69. The Minister may, if the Minister considers it advisable, issue an archaeological research permit to a person applying for it

(1)  who complies with the conditions specified in this Act and in the regulation of the Minister; and

(2)  whose skills, research methods and professional, material and financial resources, as well as the expected duration of the research, in the opinion of the Minister, make the full and satisfactory completion of the research project possible.

An archaeological research permit authorizes its holder to carry out excavations or surveys at the sites the Minister specifies on the permit in accordance with the conditions determined in this Act and in the regulation of the Minister and with any other condition the Minister may add to the permit.

2011, c. 21, s. 69.

70. An archaeological research permit is valid for one year from the date of its issue. It may be revoked at any time by the Minister if the holder does not comply with one of the conditions specified in this Act or in the regulation of the Minister or with any of the conditions added to the permit, or does not limit the research to the sites specified on the permit.

2011, c. 21, s. 70.

71. When the excavations must be carried out on an immovable that does not belong to the person applying for the archaeological research permit, the written consent of the owner of the immovable or any other interested person must be attached to the application.

When the surveys must be carried out on land in the domain of the State, the Acts governing them apply.

2011, c. 21, s. 71.

72. The holder of an archaeological research permit must submit an annual activity report to the Minister containing the particulars and in the manner determined by regulation of the Minister.

2011, c. 21, s. 72.

73. Despite section 9 of the Act respecting Access to documents held by public bodies and the Protection of personal information (chapter A-2.1), the annual report is confidential

(1)  for 60 days after its receipt by the Minister; and

(2)  for any extension of that period the Minister may determine in order to protect the research underway, the archaeological site or the archaeological property it contains, after inviting the archaeological research permit holder to submit observations on the matter.

The total period during which the report is to remain confidential may not exceed five years from the date on which the Minister receives it.

During the period of confidentiality, the Minister may disclose all or part of the report

(1)  to a public body, within the meaning given that expression by the Act respecting Access to documents held by public bodies and the Protection of personal information, in keeping with that Act;

(2)  to any other person, to protect the archaeological site or the archaeological property concerned, or to promote archaeological research; and

(3)  to a Native community that may be concerned with the results of the archaeological research.

The report, including the personal information it contains, becomes public on the expiry of the period of confidentiality.

2011, c. 21, s. 73.

74. A person who discovers an archaeological property or site must inform the Minister of it without delay.

This obligation applies whether or not the discovery occurs in a context of archaeological excavations and research.

2011, c. 21, s. 74.

75. Any alienation of lands in the domain of the State is subject to a reserve in full ownership in favour of the domain of the State of archaeological property and sites found in or on the lands except treasures governed by article 938 of the Civil Code.

2011, c. 21, s. 75.

DIVISION VI.1 REMEDIES

2021, c. 10, s. 31.

75.1. A person to whom a decision rendered by the Minister under any of sections 47 to 49, 52 and 53, the second paragraph of section 53.3, any of sections 53.6, 64, 65, 67.3 and 67.4, or the third paragraph of section 67.6 applies may apply in writing for a review of the decision within 30 days after the date on which the decision was notified to the person.

The review is conducted by a person designated by the Minister within the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications.

2021, c. 10, s. 31.

75.2. An application for review may not be refused on the ground that it was received after the deadline if the applicant establishes that it was impossible to act sooner.

If the application is refused on that ground, the decision may be contested before the Administrative Tribunal of Québec within 15 days after the date on which the decision is notified to the applicant. If the Tribunal quashes the decision, the record is returned to the designated person who rendered the decision.

2021, c. 10, s. 31.

75.3. A person who has applied for the review of a decision must be given the opportunity to submit observations and, if need be, to produce documents to complete the person’s record.

2021, c. 10, s. 31.

75.4. An application for review must be processed promptly and the review decision must be rendered within 30 days after receipt of the application or, in the case described in the second paragraph of section 75.2, within 30 days after the decision of the Administrative Tribunal of Québec returning the record for review.

If a person has asked for time to submit observations or to produce documents, the review decision must be rendered within 30 days after observations are submitted or documents are produced.

2021, c. 10, s. 31.

75.5. The review decision must be in writing and drafted in clear and concise terms, contain reasons and be notified to the applicant. It must state that the decision may be contested before the Administrative Tribunal of Québec.

2021, c. 10, s. 31.

75.6. A person who feels wronged by the review decision may contest it before the Administrative Tribunal of Québec within 30 days after notification of the decision.

Moreover, a person may contest before the Tribunal the decision whose review the person applied for if the person designated to conduct the review does not dispose of the application within 30 days following its receipt or following the decision of the Tribunal returning the record for review in accordance with the second paragraph of section 75.2. However, the time limit runs from the time observations are presented or documents are produced if a person requested more time for that purpose.

2021, c. 10, s. 31.

DIVISION VII ORDERS

76. If the Minister is of the opinion that there is a perceived or real threat of significant degradation of a property that may have heritage value, the Minister may make an order, effective for a period of not more than 30 days,

(1)  directing that the site be closed, or permitting access only to certain persons or on certain conditions, and providing for the posting of a notice to that effect in public view at the entrance to or near the site;

(2)  directing that work or an activity be terminated or that special security measures be taken;

(3)  directing that archaeological excavations be carried out; or

(4)  directing that any other measure the Minister considers necessary be taken to prevent a greater threat to the property, or to mitigate the effects of or eliminate the threat.

Before making an order against a person, the Minister must notify the person in writing as prescribed by section 5 of the Act respecting administrative justice (chapter J-3) and allow the person at least 10 days to submit observations. The Minister may, however, if urgent action is required or to prevent irreparable damage, make an order without being bound by those prior obligations. In that case, the person may, within 10 days from the time the order is served, submit observations to the Minister with a view to obtaining a review of the order.

A judge of the Superior Court may cancel the order or reduce its effective period on application by an interested person.

On application by the Minister, a judge of that Court, in addition to ordering the person to comply, may also extend, renew or make permanent the order if the judge considers that the property is seriously threatened and is of the opinion that the order made by the Minister is appropriate.

The judge may also make any amendment to the order that appears to the judge to be reasonable in the circumstances.

If a person fails to carry out the measures ordered under this division within the allotted time, the Court may authorize the Minister to have the measures carried out. The cost of carrying out the measures incurred by the Minister is a prior claim on the property, of the same nature and with the same rank as the claims listed in paragraph 4 of article 2651 of the Civil Code; the cost is secured by a legal hypothec on the property.

2011, c. 21, s. 76.

77. An application to a judge under this division must be made according to the rules that apply to contentious proceedings set out in the Code of Civil Procedure (chapter C-25.01).

Applications made by the Minister must be notified to the person or persons they concern, but the judge may waive that requirement if the judge considers that the delay resulting from the service could unnecessarily imperil the property.

All orders issued must be personally notified to the person concerned and may be executed by a peace officer.

Applications are decided by preference and orders issued are executory despite an appeal. A judge of the Court of Appeal may, however, suspend the execution of an order if the judge considers it necessary in the interests of justice.

2011, c. 21, s. 77; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP).

DIVISION VIII GENERAL POWERS OF THE MINISTER

78. The Minister may

(1)  acquire by agreement or by expropriation any classified heritage property or any property necessary to isolate, clear, clean or otherwise enhance a classified heritage immovable or site, or any property situated in an area declared a heritage site or in a protection area;

(2)  in the case of property acquired under paragraph 1, lease, hypothecate, restore, alter, demolish or transport the property or reconstruct it elsewhere;

(3)  administer personally or entrust to other persons, on conditions the Minister considers expedient, the custody and administration of property the Minister acquires;

(4)  contribute to the maintenance, conservation, restoration, enhancement, alteration or transport of a cultural element designated, classified, identified or recognized as a heritage element, or of property situated on a site classified, declared or recognized as a heritage site, and to the reconstruction of an immovable classified or recognized as a heritage immovable or of a building situated on an immovable classified or recognized as a heritage immovable or on a site classified or recognized as or declared a heritage site, and retain on the property that is the subject of a contribution, any charge, real right or hypothecary right the Minister deems appropriate;

(5)  grant subsidies to promote the knowledge, protection, transmission or enhancement of elements of intangible heritage, deceased persons of historical importance, historic events and sites, heritage cultural landscapes, heritage property and property situated on a site classified or recognized as or declared a heritage site;

(6)  make, in accordance with the law, agreements with any government respecting cultural heritage;

(7)  enter into agreements for the purposes of the administration of this Act with any person, including a local municipality, a regional county municipality, a metropolitan community or a Native community represented by its band council, in order to develop knowledge of cultural heritage and protect, transmit or enhance that heritage; and

(8)  delegate in writing, generally or specially, the powers conferred on the Minister by sections 6, 47 to 50, 53.3, 53.6, 64 to 66, 67.3, 67.4, 67.6, 68, 69, 180, 182, 183 and 197 to a member of the department’s personnel or to the holder of a position.

2011, c. 21, s. 78; 2021, c. 10, s. 32.

79. During a public consultation held at the request of the Minister under section 83.1, the Minister may make public any document, analysis, study or information provided by a third party that is of interest for the purposes of public information.

2011, c. 21, s. 79; 2021, c. 10, s. 33.

DIVISION IX REGULATORY POWERS

80. The Government may make regulations

(1)  to determine the fees payable for extracts from the cultural heritage register and for the examination of applications for archaeological research permits;

(2)  to determine the fees payable for the examination of an application for authorization filed with the Minister under section 48, 49, 64, 65 or 67.4 or the method and criteria to be used to calculate the fees, and determine how they are to be paid; and

(3)  to provide for total or partial exemption from the payment of the fees referred to in subparagraph 2 for certain categories of persons, heritage property or work.

Regulatory provisions made under subparagraph 2 of the first paragraph may vary according to the nature, importance or cost of the project for which the application is filed, the category of persons applying for the Minister’s authorization, the category of work covered by the application or according to other cases or conditions prescribed by government regulation.

2011, c. 21, s. 80; 2021, c. 10, s. 34.

80.1. The Government may, for any declared heritage site, make a regulation

(1)  to determine certain conditions for the carrying out of an act referred to in section 64 or 65; and

(2)  to designate, from among the acts referred to in those sections, an act that the Minister may not authorize or an act for which it is not necessary to obtain the Minister’s authorization.

The provisions of a regulation made under the first paragraph may vary according to the immovables or the parts of territories to which they apply.

Before the regulation is made, it must be submitted for consultation to the council and to the local municipality and the regional county municipality in whose territory the site is situated.

2021, c. 10, s. 35.

81. The Minister may make regulations

(1)  to define “construction” in a protection area within the meaning of section 49;

(2)  to determine conditions under which archaeological research permits are issued or revoked and the content and manner of presentation of the annual activity report required under section 72;

(3)  to determine the provisions of a regulation under paragraph 2 whose violation constitutes an offence; and

(4)  to determine the information and documents which must be provided in support of an application for authorization made under a provision of subdivision 4 of Division IV or subdivision 3 of Division V.

2011, c. 21, s. 81; 2021, c. 10, s. 36.

DIVISION IX.1 TABLE DE CONCERTATION EN MATIÈRE DE PATRIMOINE IMMOBILIER GOUVERNEMENTAL

2021, c. 10, s. 37.

81.1. A working panel called the “Table de concertation en matière de patrimoine immobilier gouvernemental” is established to develop government coherence and promote State exemplarity regarding government immovable cultural heritage.

The panel allows, among other things, the sharing of best practices concerning knowledge, protection, enhancement and transmission of government immovable heritage.

The Minister determines the departments and other public bodies within the meaning of sections 3 to 7 of the Act respecting Access to documents held by public bodies and the Protection of personal information (chapter A-2.1) whose representatives make up the panel. The Minister must make public the list of those departments and other public bodies.

The Minister also determines how the panel is to operate.

The Minister or the person delegated by the Minister acts as the panel’s chair. The panel’s secretariat is entrusted to the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications.

2021, c. 10, s. 37.

DIVISION X CONSEIL DU PATRIMOINE CULTUREL DU QUÉBEC

§ 1 . — Constitution and operation

82. An advisory council on cultural heritage is established under the name “Conseil du patrimoine culturel du Québec” with its head office in the city of Québec.

2011, c. 21, s. 82.

83. The council must give the Minister its opinion on any question the Minister refers to it. It may also make recommendations to the Minister on any matter relating to the knowledge, protection, enhancement or transmission of cultural heritage and on any matter relating to archives to which the Archives Act (chapter A-21.1) applies.

The council may receive and hear requests and suggestions from individuals and groups on any matter covered by this Act.

The council holds public consultations on projects to have a site declared a heritage site by the Government and, at the Minister’s request, on any matter the Minister refers to it.

If the council and another advisory body, such as the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement, hold public consultations on the same project, the council must do its utmost to make an agreement with the other body to hold the consultations simultaneously.

2011, c. 21, s. 83.

83.1. The council must give the Minister its opinion on any application for the issue of an authorization under section 48, 49 or 64 concerning the following acts:

(1)  the total demolition of a main building and the erection of a new main building in a protection area or on a declared or classified heritage site; and

(2)  the total demolition of a classified heritage immovable.

The Minister may also, if the Minister considers it appropriate, submit to the council any other application for authorization.

The council must, before giving an opinion under this section, allow the applicant to submit observations and, at the Minister’s request, hold public consultations. The last paragraph of section 83 applies to those consultations.

2021, c. 10, s. 38.

84. The council must submit a status report to the Minister every five years on the application by local municipalities, under section 165, of sections 138 to 140, subparagraph 2 of the first paragraph and the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh paragraphs of section 141 and section 142 to a site classified as or declared a heritage site or to a protection area, and to any agreement between the Minister and the local municipality that is related to the application of those sections.

2011, c. 21, s. 84; 2021, c. 10, s. 39.

85. If a heritage property other than property described in subparagraph a of the third paragraph of section 232 of the Taxation Act (chapter I-3) is acquired by a museum established under the Act respecting the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts (chapter M-42) or the National Museums Act (chapter M-44) or by a certified archival centre or a recognized museum, within the meaning assigned to those expressions by section 1 of the Taxation Act, the council, in addition to its advisory responsibilities, must

(1)  determine, for the purposes of the second paragraph of section 232 of the Taxation Act and subdivision 2 of this division, whether the property was acquired in accordance with the acquisition and conservation policy of the purchaser and the directives of the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications; and

(2)  determine the fair market value of the heritage property when the property is acquired in the circumstances described in section 103.

2011, c. 21, s. 85.

86. The council may hold its meetings anywhere in Québec.

2011, c. 21, s. 86.

87. The council is made up of 12 members, including a chair and a vice-chair, appointed by the Government from various areas in the field of cultural heritage and various regions of Québec.

2011, c. 21, s. 87.

88. The members of the council are appointed for a term of up to three years, except the chair and vice-chair who are appointed for a term of up to five years.

The members of the council may not serve more than two terms in the same capacity.

2011, c. 21, s. 88.

89. Members of the council remain in office, despite the expiry of their term, until reappointed or replaced.

A vacancy among the members of the council is filled in accordance with the rules governing their appointment.

2011, c. 21, s. 89.

90. The Government sets the remuneration and other conditions of employment of the chair and vice-chair of the council.

The other board members receive no remuneration except in the cases, on the conditions and to the extent that may be determined by the Government. They are entitled, however, to the reimbursement of expenses incurred in the exercise of their functions on the conditions and to the extent determined by the Government.

2011, c. 21, s. 90.

91. The office of chair and the office of vice-chair are full-time positions.

2011, c. 21, s. 91.

92. The vice-chair replaces the chair if the latter is absent or unable to act.

2011, c. 21, s. 92.

93. The chair presides the meetings of the council and directs proceedings; the chair represents the council in its relations with the Minister and third parties.

The vice-chair assists the chair and performs the duties assigned by the chair.

2011, c. 21, s. 93.

94. The quorum at meetings of the council is the majority of its members, including the chair or vice-chair. In the event of a tie, the chair has a casting vote.

2011, c. 21, s. 94.

95. The council may form committees presided by the chair or a member designated by the chair to examine matters it determines.

The functions assigned to the council under the Archives Act (chapter A-21.1) are exercised on its behalf by a committee made up of three persons designated by the council.

Such committees may include persons referred to in section 96.

2011, c. 21, s. 95.

96. The council may call on specialists to examine matters within its competence.

Such specialists are entitled to the fees, allowances or salaries set by the Government.

2011, c. 21, s. 96.

97. The council meets as often as necessary and not less than 10 times a year.

2011, c. 21, s. 97.

98. The council may, by by-law,

(1)  provide for its internal management; and

(2)  delegate the exercise of functions assigned to it under this Act to committees established under the first paragraph of section 95.

2011, c. 21, s. 98.

99. If all the members agree, the council may meet using equipment enabling all participants to communicate directly with one another.

2011, c. 21, s. 99.

100. The members of the council’s personnel are appointed in accordance with the Public Service Act (chapter F-3.1.1).

The chair exercises the powers conferred by that Act on a chief executive officer with regard to the personnel.

2011, c. 21, s. 100.

101. The minutes of the meetings of the council and its committees, approved and certified by the chair or vice-chair, are authentic. The same applies to documents and copies of documents emanating from the council or forming part of its records, if they are signed by the chair, the vice-chair or a member of the personnel designated by the council.

2011, c. 21, s. 101.

102. Not later than 1 July each year, the council must send an annual report of its activities for the preceding fiscal year to the Minister.

The Minister must table the report of the council in the National Assembly; if the Minister receives it between sessions or after an adjournment, the Minister must table it within 30 days after the opening of the next session or resumption.

2011, c. 21, s. 102.

§ 2 . — Determination of the fair market value of a heritage property

103. When a museum established under the Act respecting the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts (chapter M-42) or the National Museums Act (chapter M-44), a certified archival centre or a recognized museum, within the meaning assigned to those expressions by section 1 of the Taxation Act (chapter I-3), acquires heritage property by gift in accordance with its acquisition and conservation policy and the directives of the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications, other than property described in subparagraph a of the third paragraph of section 232 of the Taxation Act, the centre or museum, when required by the donor, must make a request in writing that the council determine the fair market value of the property.

2011, c. 21, s. 103.

104. The council may ask for any information or document relevant to the consideration of the request.

2011, c. 21, s. 104.

105. Except in special circumstances, the council must determine the fair market value of the property and provide the donor with a certificate within four months after the request is received.

The certificate must state that the property was acquired by a museum established under the Act respecting the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts (chapter M-42) or the National Museums Act (chapter M-44), a certified archival centre or a recognized museum in accordance with its acquisition and conservation policy and with the directives of the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications, and give the fair market value of the property, determined by the council.

2011, c. 21, s. 105.

106. The council sends a copy of the certificate to the centre or museum that made the request and to the Minister of Revenue.

2011, c. 21, s. 106.

§ 3 . — Contestations filed with the Court of Québec

2011, c. 21, Sd. 3; 2020, c. 12, s. 144.

107. Within 90 days after the day on which the certificate described in section 105 is issued, the donor may file a contestation with the Court of Québec sitting for the district in which the donor resides or for the district of Québec or of Montréal, according to the district in which the determination would be appealable under article 40 of the Code of Civil Procedure (chapter C-25.01) if it were an appeal to the Court of Appeal, to have the fair market value determined by the council changed.

2011, c. 21, s. 107; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP); 2020, c. 12, s. 150.

108. No contestation may be made after the expiry of 90 days following the day on which the certificate is issued.

However, if the donor was physically unable to act or to instruct another to act in the donor’s name within the time prescribed and not more than one year has elapsed since the date of issue of the certificate, the donor may apply to a judge of the Court of Québec for an extension of the time prescribed in the first paragraph, for a period which may not go beyond the 15th day following the date of the judgment granting the extension.

2011, c. 21, s. 108; 2020, c. 12, s. 134.

109. A contestation is made by filing an application at the office of the Court of Québec.

2011, c. 21, s. 109; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP); 2020, c. 12, s. 144.

110. The object of the contestation, the grounds on which it is based and the conclusions sought are stated in the application, which must be supported by an affidavit attesting the truth of the alleged facts. The application must be accompanied by prior notice of the date of its presentation of at least 10 days.

2011, c. 21, s. 110; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP); 2020, c. 12, s. 144.

111. The contesting party must prepare an original and one copy of the application, affidavit and notice. After payment of the court costs of $90 mentioned in section 112, the original and copy are numbered by the clerk. The copy is certified true by the contesting party or the contesting party’s attorney.

The clerk must immediately send the copy furnished by the contesting party to the council which must, with dispatch, provide the clerk with the record relating to the contested evaluation.

2011, c. 21, s. 111; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP); 2020, c. 12, s. 147.

112. When filing the application, the contesting party must pay to the clerk of the Court an amount of $90, which is to be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

In no case may the Court compel a contesting party to pay any additional costs.

2011, c. 21, s. 112; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP); 2020, c. 12, s. 147.

113. The contestation may be heard in camera if it is established to the satisfaction of the judge that the circumstances justify in camera proceedings.

2011, c. 21, s. 113; 2020, c. 12, s. 144.

114. The judge may dismiss the contestation or change the fair market value determined by the council and, for the purposes of the Taxation Act (chapter I-3), the fair market value determined by the judge is deemed to be the fair market value determined by the council.

2011, c. 21, s. 114; 2020, c. 12, s. 144.

115. The clerk of the Court must, as soon as possible, send a copy of the decision to the donor and to the Minister of Revenue.

2011, c. 21, s. 115; 2020, c. 12, s. 135.

116. The decision of the Court is without appeal.

2011, c. 21, s. 116.

CHAPTER IV IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE BY MUNICIPALITIES

DIVISION I DEFINITION, APPLICATION AND INVENTORIES

117. In this chapter, “local heritage council” means the council established under section 154 of this Act or, in the case of a local municipality and a regional county municipality, respectively, the planning advisory committee established under section 146 of the Act respecting land use planning and development (chapter A-19.1) or the land development advisory committee established under section 148.0.0.1 of that Act, as determined by their council.

2011, c. 21, s. 117; 2021, c. 10, s. 40.

118. The Kativik Regional Government, when acting as a local municipality for the purposes of this chapter under section 244 of the Act respecting Northern villages and the Kativik Regional Government (chapter V-6.1), need not submit its by-laws to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy for approval before they come into force.

The powers conferred by this chapter may also be exercised by a Native community on the lands of a reserve or on the lands to which the Naskapi and the Cree-Naskapi Commission Act (S.C. 1984, c. 18) applies, with the necessary modifications, and for that purpose, “local municipality” includes Native communities represented by their band council within the meaning of the Indian Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. I-5) or the Naskapi and the Cree-Naskapi Commission Act.

2011, c. 21, s. 118; 2021, c. 10, s. 41; I.N. 2022-02-01.

119. A by-law identifying and recognizing cultural heritage elements to which this chapter applies is repealed in the same manner as such by-laws are adopted. However, the council of the municipality must, at least 90 days before the repealing by-law is adopted, notify the following parties of its intention to repeal a heritage recognition by-law:

(1)  the cultural heritage registrar;

(2)  in the case of a local municipality, the regional county municipality whose territory comprises that of the local municipality; and

(3)  in the case of a regional county municipality, the local municipality in which the recognized property is situated.

2011, c. 21, s. 119; 2021, c. 10, s. 42.

120. A regional county municipality must adopt and periodically update an inventory of the immovables situated in its territory that were constructed before 1940 and that have heritage value. The regional county municipality may also include more recently constructed immovables in the inventory.

The Minister may, by regulation,

(1)  prescribe the manner in which inventories are made, consigned and disseminated; and

In force: 2026-04-01

(2)  extend, until the year set by the regulation, the construction period for which the inventory is to be made and, if applicable, determine the time allotted for making the new portion of the inventory as well as protection measures applicable within that time to newly included immovables.

In force: 2026-04-01

The regulation referred to in subparagraph 2 of the second paragraph is to be submitted for consultation, before its adoption, to the partners panel provided for in the third paragraph of section 11.2.

A local municipality may contribute to the knowledge of cultural heritage by making inventories of the cultural heritage situated in its territory or connected to its territory. If applicable, the local municipality must inform the regional county municipality of the immovables it has inventoried.

For the purposes of this section, a local municipality whose territory is not included in that of a regional county municipality, excluding a local municipality whose territory is included in that of an urban agglomeration whose central municipality is referred to in section 2.1, a Native community referred to in the second paragraph of section 118 or a Northern, Cree or Naskapi village, is considered to be a regional county municipality.

2011, c. 21, s. 120; 2021, c. 10, s. 42.

DIVISION II IDENTIFICATION OF INTANGIBLE HERITAGE AND HISTORIC FIGURES, EVENTS AND SITES

121. A local municipality may, on its own initiative or on a proposal from any interested person, by by-law and after obtaining the opinion of the local heritage council, identify elements of intangible heritage, deceased persons of historical importance and historic events and sites as such.

2011, c. 21, s. 121; 2021, c. 10, s. 43.

122. The notice of motion of a heritage identification by-law describes the element of intangible heritage or identifies the historic figure, event or site involved and states the reasons for identifying it as cultural heritage.

The notice of motion must also contain the date on which the by-law is to come into force in accordance with section 125 and state that interested persons may make representations to the local heritage council in accordance with the notices given to that effect.

The clerk or the clerk-treasurer must send a copy of the notice of motion and the related draft by-law to the cultural heritage registrar as soon as possible.

2011, c. 21, s. 122; 2021, c. 10, s. 44; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

123. The clerk or the clerk-treasurer must give public notice, not later than 30 days before the adoption of the heritage identification by-law, of the place, date and time of the local heritage council meeting at which all persons having an interest in the heritage identification of the element of intangible heritage or the historic figure, event or site mentioned in the notice of motion may make representations.

The public notice is governed by the rules applicable to public notices set out in sections 335 to 337 and 345 to 348 of the Cities and Towns Act (chapter C-19) or articles 418, 419, 422, 423 and 431 to 436 of the Municipal Code of Québec (chapter C-27.1), as the case may be.

2011, c. 21, s. 123; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

124. Sixty days after the date of the notice of motion and after obtaining the opinion of the local heritage council, the council of the municipality may adopt the by-law identifying as cultural heritage the element of intangible heritage or the historic figure, event or site in question.

A notice of motion is without effect at the expiry of 120 days after the date of the notice of motion if the council of the municipality has not adopted the by-law and brought it into force by then.

2011, c. 21, s. 124.

125. The heritage identification by-law comes into force on the date the by-law is adopted by the council of the municipality.

2011, c. 21, s. 125.

126. When the heritage identification by-law comes into force, the clerk or the clerk-treasurer must send a certified copy of the by-law, along with the certificate stating the date of coming into force of the by-law, to the cultural heritage registrar who must enter in the register the element of intangible heritage or the historic figure, event or site identified.

2011, c. 21, s. 126; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

DIVISION III RECOGNITION OF HERITAGE PROPERTY

127. A municipality may, on its own initiative or on a proposal from any interested person, by by-law and after obtaining the opinion of the local heritage council, recognize all or part of a document, immovable, object or site situated in its territory as heritage property, the knowledge, protection, enhancement or transmission of which is in the public interest.

A heritage site must, in the case of a local municipality, be included in a part of the territory identified in its planning program under subparagraph 9 of the second paragraph of section 83 of the Act respecting land use planning and development (chapter A-19.1) or, in the case of a regional county municipality, be included in a part of the territory identified in its land use and development plan under subparagraph 9 of the second paragraph of section 5 of that Act.

The power under the first paragraph with respect to documents, objects or ensembles is limited to those owned by the municipality.

2011, c. 21, s. 127; 2021, c. 10, s. 45; 2023, c. 12, s. 123.

128. The notice of motion of a by-law recognizing property as heritage property must provide

(1)  the description of the heritage property concerned;

(2)  the reasons for recognition;

(3)  the date on which the by-law is to come into force in accordance with section 134; and

(4)  a statement that interested persons may make representations to the local heritage council in accordance with the notices given to that effect.

If a notice of motion concerning a heritage immovable contains no particulars on the interior of the heritage immovable, only the exterior appearance of the immovable is covered by the motion, except in the case described in paragraph 3 of section 138.

The clerk or the clerk-treasurer of the municipality must send a copy of the notice of motion and of the related draft by-law to the cultural heritage registrar as soon as possible.

2011, c. 21, s. 128; 2021, c. 10, s. 46; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

129. The clerk or the clerk-treasurer or any person the clerk or the clerk-treasurer designates for such purpose must send to each owner of a heritage immovable or, in the case of a heritage site, each owner of an immovable situated on the heritage site, a special written notice, along with a certified copy of the notice of motion stating

(1)  the effects of recognition provided for in sections 135 to 145;

(2)  the fact that each owner may make representations to the local heritage council; and

(3)  the place, date and time of the local heritage council meeting at which all other interested persons may make representations.

The special notice is governed by the rules applicable to special notices set out in sections 335 to 343 and 348 of the Cities and Towns Act (chapter C-19) or articles 418, 419 and 422 to 430 of the Municipal Code of Québec (chapter C-27.1), as the case may be.

In addition, the truth of the facts set out in the certificate of notification must be attested under the oath of office of the person giving the certificate, if that person has taken an oath of office, and if not, under a special oath to that effect.

2011, c. 21, s. 129; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP); 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

130. The clerk or the clerk-treasurer must give public notice, not later than 30 days before a heritage recognition by-law is adopted, of the place, date and time of the local heritage council meeting at which persons having an interest in the recognition of the heritage property mentioned in the notice of motion may make representations.

The public notice is governed by the rules applicable to public notices set out in sections 335 to 337 and 345 to 348 of the Cities and Towns Act (chapter C-19) or articles 418, 419, 422, 423 and 431 to 436 of the Municipal Code of Québec (chapter C-27.1), as the case may be.

2011, c. 21, s. 130; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

131. Sixty days after the date of the notice of motion and after obtaining the opinion of the local heritage council, the council of the municipality may adopt the by-law recognizing property as heritage property.

The heritage recognition by-law must provide the description of the property involved and state the reasons for recognition. If the notice of motion concerning a heritage immovable contains no particulars on the interior of the heritage immovable, only the exterior appearance of the immovable is covered by the motion, except in the case described in paragraph 3 of section 138.

A notice of motion is without effect at the expiry of 120 days after the date of the notice of motion if the council of the municipality has not adopted the by-law and brought it into force by then.

2011, c. 21, s. 131.

132. In the case of a by-law adopted by a local municipality, the period of 120 days referred to in section 131 is extended by 60 days if the heritage site described in the notice of motion is not included in a part of the territory identified in its planning program under subparagraph 9 of the second paragraph of section 83 of the Act respecting land use planning and development (chapter A-19.1) and provided that at the meeting during which the notice of motion was given, the council adopted a resolution stating its intention to amend its planning program to that effect.

However, the notice of motion is without effect as soon as it becomes clear that it will not be possible for the amendment to come into force before the end of the additional 60-day period.

In the same manner, in the case of a by-law adopted by a regional county municipality, the period is extended if the heritage site mentioned in the notice of motion is not included in a part of the territory identified in the regional county municipality’s land use and development plan under subparagraph 9 of the second paragraph of section 5 of the Act respecting land use planning and development (chapter A-19.1).

2011, c. 21, s. 132; 2021, c. 10, s. 47; 2023, c. 12, s. 124.

133. When a heritage recognition by-law comes into force, the clerk or the clerk-treasurer must send a certified copy of the by-law, along with the certificate stating the date of coming into force of the by-law and a list of the elements that characterize the recognized heritage property

(1)  to the cultural heritage registrar, who must enter the recognized heritage property in the register;

(2)  to the custodian of the recognized document, object or ensemble, if that person is not the owner; and

(3)  to each owner of the recognized heritage immovable or each owner of an immovable situated on the recognized heritage site, as the case may be.

2011, c. 21, s. 133; 2021, c. 10, s. 48; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

134. A heritage recognition by-law comes into force

(1)  on the date it is adopted by the council of the municipality, in the case of a heritage document, object or ensemble; or

(2)  on the date a special notice is notified to the owners, in the case of a heritage immovable or an immovable situated on a recognized heritage site.

2011, c. 21, s. 134; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP); 2021, c. 10, s. 49.

135. The effects of the recognition persist under all conditions in respect of the heritage property until the heritage recognition by-law is repealed.

2011, c. 21, s. 135.

136. The owner of a recognized heritage property must take the necessary measures to preserve the heritage value of the property.

2011, c. 21, s. 136.

137. A person who in any way alters, restores, repairs or changes a recognized heritage document, object, ensemble or immovable must comply with any conditions set by the council of the municipality pertaining to the conservation of the heritage value of the document, object, ensemble or immovable, in addition to the municipal by-laws.

2011, c. 21, s. 137; 2021, c. 10, s. 50.

138. In addition to the municipal by-laws, and in particular the by-law adopted under section 150, a person must comply with any conditions the council of the municipality sets pertaining to the conservation of the heritage value of a recognized heritage site if the person

(1)  builds a new construction on the site;

(2)  changes the arrangement and ground plan of an immovable on the site, makes repairs to it or changes its exterior appearance in any way;

(3)  carries out excavations on the site, even inside a building, unless the purpose of the excavation is a burial or disinterment and none of the acts listed in paragraphs 1 and 2 are carried out; or

(4)  posts new signs or billboards on the site or alters, replaces or demolishes a sign or billboard.

2011, c. 21, s. 138.

139. In addition, no person may perform any of the acts mentioned in sections 137 and 138 without giving at least 45 days’ notice to the local municipality. If a municipal permit is required, the application for the permit stands in lieu of notice.

If the act concerns a heritage property recognized by the council of a regional county municipality, the clerk or the clerk-treasurer of the local municipality must send a copy of the notice to the clerk-treasurer of the regional county municipality as soon as possible, to the extent that the act complies with the by-laws of the local municipality.

Before imposing conditions, the council of the municipality that adopted the heritage recognition by-law must obtain the opinion of the local heritage council.

In the case of a heritage property recognized by the council of a regional county municipality, the clerk-treasurer of the regional county municipality must send a copy of the resolution setting out the conditions to the local municipality.

A copy of the resolution setting out the conditions must accompany a municipal permit otherwise issued that authorizes the act involved.

2011, c. 21, s. 139; 2021, c. 10, s. 51; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

140. A municipal permit is withdrawn if a project regarding which conditions were imposed under section 137 or 138 is not begun within one year after the permit is issued or if the project is interrupted for more than one year.

If a project is interrupted, the withdrawal of the permit does not prevent the municipality from obtaining an order under section 203.

2011, c. 21, s. 140.

141. No person may, without the authorization of the council of the municipality that adopted the heritage recognition by-law,

(1)  destroy all or part of a recognized heritage document or object or move all or part of a recognized heritage immovable or use it as a backing for a construction; or

(2)  divide, subdivide or parcel out an immovable situated on a recognized heritage site.

Any application for authorization that concerns a heritage property recognized by the council of a regional county municipality must be filed with the local municipality. The clerk or the clerk-treasurer of the local municipality must send to the clerk-treasurer of the regional county municipality a copy of the application as soon as possible, to the extent that the authorization complies with the by-laws of the local municipality.

Before ruling on an application for authorization, the council must obtain the opinion of the local heritage council.

A person performing an act described in the first paragraph must comply with any conditions the council of the municipality sets out in its authorization.

The authorization of the council of the municipality is withdrawn if the project described in an application submitted under this section is not begun within one year after the authorization is given or if the project is interrupted for more than one year.

If a project is interrupted, the withdrawal of the authorization does not prevent the municipality from obtaining an order under section 203.

This section does not apply to the division, subdivision or parcelling out of an immovable on the vertical cadastral plan.

2011, c. 21, s. 141; 2021, c. 10, s. 52; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

142. On the request of a person whose application for an authorization under section 141 has been refused, the council of the municipality must provide a substantiated notice of the refusal and a copy of the opinion of the local heritage council.

2011, c. 21, s. 142.

143. For the purpose of guiding the application of sections 136 to 139 and 141, the council of the municipality may establish, for a recognized heritage property, guidelines for the preservation, the rehabilitation and, if applicable, the enhancement of the property according to its heritage value and the elements that characterize it.

2011, c. 21, s. 143; 2021, c. 10, s. 53.

144. Before establishing or updating its guidelines, the council of the municipality must obtain the opinion of the local heritage council and ask the owner of the recognized heritage immovable or site to submit observations.

2011, c. 21, s. 144; 2021, c. 10, s. 54.

145. After obtaining the opinion of the local heritage council, a municipality may acquire by agreement or by expropriation any property or real right required to isolate, clear, clean or otherwise enhance a recognized heritage immovable situated in its territory or an immovable situated on a heritage site it has recognized as such.

A municipality may similarly acquire by agreement or by expropriation a classified or recognized heritage immovable situated in its territory or an immovable situated on a heritage site it has recognized as such.

After obtaining the opinion of the local heritage council, a municipality may transfer, sell or lease the property or rights without further authorization.

2011, c. 21, s. 145; 2021, c. 10, s. 55.

146. The council of the municipality may, by by-law and to the extent it determines, delegate its power to determine conditions under section 137 or 138 to its executive committee.

2011, c. 21, s. 146.

147. A municipality may, by by-law,

(1)  prescribe the release by any person of information or documents to allow the application of sections 137 to 139 and section 141; and

(2)  prescribe the payment of costs for an authorization issued under section 141.

In the case of a by-law of a regional county municipality, the clerk-treasurer of that municipality must send a copy to the local municipality. The latter is responsible for the application of the by-law. As soon as possible, it must send to the regional county municipality any information or document that has been provided to it and must remit to the latter all fees collected.

2011, c. 21, s. 147; 2021, c. 10, s. 56; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

DIVISION IV ORDERS

148. If the council of the municipality is of the opinion that there is a perceived or real threat of significant degradation of a property that may have heritage value, it may make an order, effective for a period of not more than 30 days,

(1)  directing that the site be closed, or permitting access only to certain persons or on certain conditions, and providing for the posting of a notice to that effect in public view at the entrance to or near the site;

(2)  directing that work or an activity be terminated or that special security measures be taken;

(3)  directing that archaeological excavations be carried out; or

(4)  directing that any other measure the council considers necessary be taken to prevent a greater threat to the property, or to mitigate the effects of or eliminate the threat.

Before making an order against a person, the council of the municipality must give the person prior notice in writing of its intention and the reasons motivating it and allow the person at least 10 days to submit observations.

The council may, however, if urgent action is required or to prevent irreparable damage, make an order without being bound by those prior obligations. In such a case, the person may, within 10 days from notification of the order, submit observations to the council with a view to obtaining a review of the order.

Simultaneously with notification of prior notice or of an order, the council of the municipality must send a copy of the prior notice or order to the Minister who will carry out any consultations with a Native community required in order for the council to take the community’s concerns into account. The council must review the order to that end, if need be.

A judge of the Superior Court may cancel an order or reduce its effective period on application by an interested person.

On application by the council of the municipality, a judge of that Court, in addition to ordering a person to comply, may also extend, renew or make permanent the order if the judge considers that the property is seriously threatened, and is of the opinion that the order made by the council of the municipality is appropriate.

The judge may also make any amendment to the order that appears to the judge to be reasonable in the circumstances.

If a person fails to carry out the measures ordered under this division within the allotted time, the Court may authorize the municipality to have the measures carried out. The cost of carrying out the measures incurred by the municipality is a prior claim on the property, of the same nature and with the same rank as the claims listed in paragraph 5 of article 2651 of the Civil Code; the cost is secured by a legal hypothec on the property.

2011, c. 21, s. 148; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP).

149. An application to a judge under this division must be made according to the rules that apply to contentious proceedings set out in the Code of Civil Procedure (chapter C-25.01).

Applications made by the council of the municipality must be served on the person or persons they concern, but the judge may waive that requirement if the judge considers that the delay resulting from the service could unnecessarily imperil the property.

All orders issued must be personally served on the person concerned and may be executed by a peace officer.

Applications are decided by preference and orders issued are executory despite an appeal. A judge of the Court of Appeal may, however, suspend the execution of an order if the judge considers it is necessary in the interests of justice.

2011, c. 21, s. 149; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP).

DIVISION V ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS AND SURVEYS IN A ZONE OF HERITAGE INTEREST, AND FINANCIAL OR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

150. A municipality may, by by-law, determine the cases and circumstances in which a person who must obtain a permit or authorization from the municipality is required to carry out archaeological excavations or surveys before carrying out a project in a zone of heritage interest identified in the land use planning and development plan in force in the municipality’s territory.

2011, c. 21, s. 150.

150.1. Despite the Municipal Aid Prohibition Act (chapter I-15), a municipality may set the rent for a classified or recognized heritage immovable situated in its territory, or for an immovable situated in a recognized heritage site, below its fair market value.

The rent from such an immovable, less the related administrative costs, must first be used to pay the costs related to the maintenance required to preserve the immovable’s heritage value and to discharge the commitments made by the municipality under this Act.

2021, c. 10, s. 57.

151. Despite the Municipal Aid Prohibition Act (chapter I-15), a municipality may, by by-law and after obtaining the opinion of the local heritage council, grant, on the conditions it determines, any form of financial or technical assistance to promote the knowledge, protection, transmission or enhancement of an element of cultural heritage identified or recognized as such by the municipality.

A municipality may also grant financial or technical assistance in respect of a heritage cultural landscape designated as such by the Government, a classified heritage property or an immovable situated in an area that is declared a heritage site, or an element designated as cultural heritage by the Minister, if that landscape, property, immovable or element is situated in the municipality’s territory or is connected to its territory.

This section does not affect the powers a municipality may otherwise hold to grant assistance in respect of immovables.

2011, c. 21, s. 151.

DIVISION VI LOCAL HERITAGE COUNCIL

152. The function of the local heritage council is to give its opinion, at the request of the council of the municipality, on any matter relating to the administration of this chapter.

2011, c. 21, s. 152.

153. The local heritage council must receive and hear the representations made by interested persons following the notices given under sections 123, 129 and 130.

The local heritage council may also receive and hear requests and suggestions from persons or groups on any matter within its competence.

2011, c. 21, s. 153.

154. A municipality may, by by-law, establish a local heritage council to perform the duties entrusted to local heritage councils by this Act.

A regional county municipality may call such a local council a “regional heritage council”.

2011, c. 21, s. 154; 2021, c. 10, s. 58.

155. The local heritage council is composed of not less than three members appointed by the council of the municipality.

One of the members of the local heritage council must be chosen from among the members of the council of the municipality.

2011, c. 21, s. 155.

156. The member chosen from among the members of the council of the municipality is appointed for the duration of the member’s term of office and for not more than two years.

The other members are appointed for not more than two years. At the end of their term, they remain in office until they are replaced or reappointed.

2011, c. 21, s. 156.

157. A municipality may, by by-law, authorize the local heritage council to establish its rules of internal management.

2011, c. 21, s. 157.

158. Any vacancy occurring during the term of a member must be filled in the manner provided for in section 155.

2011, c. 21, s. 158.

159. The local heritage council must hold its meetings in the territory of the municipality or at the place determined by the council of the municipality.

The majority of the members constitutes a quorum at meetings of the local heritage council.

2011, c. 21, s. 159.

160. The council of the municipality may determine and make available to the local heritage council the personnel and the sums of money the local heritage council needs to discharge its duties.

2011, c. 21, s. 160.

DIVISION VII SPECIAL PROVISIONS

161. Despite the second paragraph of section 127, a municipality may recognize all or part of its territory as a heritage site before the coming into force of its planning program or its land use and development plan, as applicable.

2011, c. 21, s. 161; 2021, c. 10, s. 59.

162. On the date of coming into force of the planning program of a local municipality, sections 138 to 141 and 151 cease to apply in respect of all or part of a heritage site that is not included in a part of the territory identified in its planning program under subparagraph 9 of the second paragraph of section 83 of the Act respecting land use planning and development (chapter A-19.1). Those sections also cease to apply on the date of coming into force of the land use and development plan of a regional county municipality in respect of all or part of a heritage site that is not included in a part of the territory identified in that plan under subparagraph 9 of the second paragraph of section 5 of that Act.

2011, c. 21, s. 162; 2021, c. 10, s. 60; 2023, c. 12, s. 125.

163. (Repealed).

2011, c. 21, s. 163; 2021, c. 10, s. 61.

164. For the application of this chapter to Ville de Québec, the Commission d’urbanisme et de conservation de Québec, set up under section 123 of Schedule C to the Charter of Ville de Québec, national capital of Québec (chapter C-11.5), exercises the functions of the local heritage council set out in this chapter.

For the application of this chapter to Ville de Montréal, the city council may determine the cases in which the functions of the local heritage council set out in this chapter are to be exercised by the council for cultural heritage matters that is referred to in section 45 of the Act to increase the autonomy and powers of Ville de Montréal, the metropolis of Québec (2017, chapter 16) or by a council for cultural heritage matters that is under its authority.

2011, c. 21, s. 164; 2017, c. 16, s. 29.

CHAPTER V TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND RULES TO REGULATE OR PREVENT THE DUPLICATION OF PROTECTION

DIVISION I TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE PROTECTION OF A PROTECTION AREA OR OF A SITE CLASSIFIED AS OR DECLARED A HERITAGE SITE

165. If a local municipality submits by by-law an application to that effect, the Minister may declare all or part of section 49 or sections 64 to 67 inapplicable to all or part of a protection area or a site classified as or declared a heritage site forming part of its territory, and declare sections 138 to 140, subparagraph 2 of the first paragraph, the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh paragraphs of section 141 and section 142 applicable to that area or site to the extent the Minister determines.

The Minister may also adjust the applicability or inapplicability of all or part of the sections mentioned in the first paragraph according to the categories of acts or work described in those sections, and determine which provisions of Division II of this chapter apply.

Before reaching a decision on an application, the Minister must take into account the consistency of the municipality’s by-laws with the objectives of this Act as well as the content of any regulation made by the Government under section 80.1 for the declared heritage site concerned, sections 53.5 and 67.2 and any directive established by the Minister under section 61 for that site. The Minister must also obtain the opinion of the Conseil du patrimoine culturel du Québec.

2011, c. 21, s. 165; 2021, c. 10, s. 62.

166. A declaration made by the Minister under section 165 takes effect on the date of publication of a notice to that effect in the Gazette officielle du Québec or on any later date given in the notice. The registrar must then make a note on the declaration in the cultural heritage register.

2011, c. 21, s. 166; 2021, c. 10, s. 63.

167. The municipality must notify the Minister of any amendments it plans to make to planning by-laws that apply to the area or site covered by the declaration made under section 165.

The notice must summarize the draft by-law.

2011, c. 21, s. 167.

168. After obtaining the opinion of the Conseil du patrimoine culturel du Québec, the Minister may amend or revoke any declaration made under section 165, to the extent the Minister determines.

The amendment or revocation takes effect on the date on which the clerk or the clerk-treasurer of the municipality receives it.

A notice of the amendment or revocation must be published in the Gazette officielle du Québec and give the date on which the amendment or revocation took effect. The registrar must then make a note of the amendment or revocation of the declaration in the cultural heritage register.

2011, c. 21, s. 168; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

DIVISION II RULES TO REGULATE OR PREVENT THE DUPLICATION OF PROTECTION

169. The object of this division is to determine, with a view to regulating or preventing the duplication of protection, the provisions that apply in respect of heritage property or of property situated in a protection area or on a site classified or recognized as or declared a heritage site and that may be protected by the Minister, the Government or a municipality.

2011, c. 21, s. 169; 2021, c. 10, s. 64.

170. This division applies to all or part of a heritage property.

2011, c. 21, s. 170.

171. A heritage property may be classified at any time. If a heritage property is classified, the only provisions that apply in respect of that property are those applicable to classified heritage property.

2011, c. 21, s. 171.

171.1. A municipality may not recognize a heritage property that is already the subject of a heritage recognition by another municipality.

2021, c. 10, s. 65.

172. A heritage immovable may not be recognized as such

(1)  if it is situated on a site classified as or declared a heritage site; or

(2)  in respect of its elements that are already classified.

However, the non-classified interior of a heritage immovable situated on a site classified as or declared a heritage site may be given heritage recognition.

2011, c. 21, s. 172.

173. When an immovable is situated both in a protection area and on a site declared a heritage site, the only provisions that apply in respect of that immovable are those applicable to an immovable situated on a site declared a heritage site.

2011, c. 21, s. 173.

174. When an immovable is situated on a recognized heritage site or when a recognized heritage immovable is situated in a protection area, sections 49 and 67.4 and the special provisions concerning a recognized heritage immovable apply. However, the decisions made by the Minister under sections 49 and 67.4 prevail over those made by the municipality with respect to the immovable.

2011, c. 21, s. 174; 2021, c. 10, s. 66.

175. When a recognized heritage immovable is situated on a land area declared a heritage site, sections 137, 139 and 141 to 144 apply only in respect of the recognized interior of the immovable, to the exclusion of the excavation of the ground, which remains subject to the Minister’s authorization.

2011, c. 21, s. 175.

176. Sections 138, 139 and 141 to 144 do not apply in respect of an immovable situated on both a site recognized as a heritage site and a site declared a heritage site.

2011, c. 21, s. 176.

177. In case of conflict between an order made by the Minister under sections 76 and 77 and an order made by the council of the municipality under sections 148 and 149, the order made by the Minister prevails.

In case of conflict between an order referred to in sections 148 and 149 and made by the council of the regional county municipality and such an order made by the council of the local municipality, the order made by the regional county municipality prevails.

2011, c. 21, s. 177; 2021, c. 10, s. 67.

CHAPTER VI INFORMATION SENT TO THE MUNICIPALITIES OR TO THE METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY

2011, c. 21, c. VI; 2021, c. 10, s. 68.

178. The Minister must send to the regional county municipality or to the metropolitan community whose territory comprises that of the local municipality a copy of every document the Minister is required to send to the local municipality or to its clerk or its clerk-treasurer under section 30, 31, 33, 36, 36.1, 41, 44, 46, 59, 60 or 168, as well as a copy of every declaration made under section 165 on the application of the local municipality.

2011, c. 21, s. 178; 2021, c. 10, s. 69; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

179. A local municipality must send to the regional county municipality or to the metropolitan community whose territory comprises that of the local municipality a copy of every document that the municipality itself, its council, its clerk or its clerk-treasurer is required to send under section 126, 133, 142 or 167 and a copy of every application made by the municipality under section 165.

A regional county municipality must send to the local municipality in which the recognized property is situated a copy of every document that the regional county municipality itself, its council or its clerk-treasurer is required to send under section 133 or 142.

2011, c. 21, s. 179; 2021, c. 10, s. 70; 2021, c. 31, s. 132.

CHAPTER VI.1 EXERCISE OF CERTAIN POWERS BY VILLE DE QUÉBEC AND VILLE DE MONTRÉAL

2016, c. 31, s. 40; 2017, c. 16, s. 30.

179.1. In a protection area situated in its territory, Ville de Québec and Ville de Montréal exercise the Minister’s powers under section 49 except those relating to the building or erection of a main building and the total demolition of a building.

Moreover, in a land area declared a heritage site and in a classified heritage site situated in its territory, Ville de Québec and Ville de Montréal exercise the Minister’s powers under section 64, except those relating to the total demolition of a building, the erection of a new main building, the partial demolition of a building in connection with that erection, and the excavation of ground in connection with that erection or with either of those demolitions. Ville de Québec and Ville de Montréal also exercise the Minister’s powers under section 65.

However, Ville de Québec and Ville de Montréal exercise all the Minister’s powers under sections 49, 64 and 65 as regards an intervention it carries out on an immovable it owns.

In exercising their powers, Ville de Québec and Ville de Montréal are bound, for each declared heritage site, by any regulation made by the Government under section 80.1 and by any directive established by the Minister under section 61.

2016, c. 31, s. 40; 2017, c. 13, s. 186; 2017, c. 16, s. 31; 2021, c. 10, s. 71.

179.2. Despite section 179.1, Ville de Québec and Ville de Montréal may not exercise the powers conferred by this chapter as regards interventions by the Government, a government department or a body that is a mandatary of the State. The Minister exercises all the powers conferred by sections 49, 64 and 65 as regards such interventions.

2016, c. 31, s. 40; 2017, c. 16, s. 31.

179.3. For the purposes of the exercise, by Ville de Québec and Ville de Montréal, of the powers conferred by this chapter, sections 11, 11.4, 50, 51, 53.3, 53.5, 53.6, 66, 67 and 67.1 with regard to the application of section 53.3, sections 67.2 and 67.3, subparagraphs 2 and 3 of the first paragraph, the second paragraph of section 80, and sections 180, 181, 183 to 192, 195, 196, 197, 201, 202 and 261 apply to Ville de Québec and Ville de Montréal, with the necessary modifications, including replacing “Government” and “Minister” by “Ville de Québec” or “Ville de Montréal”, as applicable.

2016, c. 31, s. 40; 2017, c. 16, s. 32; 2021, c. 10, s. 72.

179.3.1. The Minister may make a regulation to define “building” and “main building” for the purposes of section 179.1.

2017, c. 13, s. 187.

179.4. Ville de Québec and Ville de Montréal may institute penal proceedings for an offence under this Act arising from the exercise of the powers conferred by this chapter.

The fine belongs to Ville de Québec or Ville de Montréal if they instituted the proceedings.

2016, c. 31, s. 40; 2017, c. 16, s. 33.

179.5. The Commission d’urbanisme et de conservation de Québec set up under section 123 of Schedule C to the Charter of Ville de Québec, national capital of Québec (chapter C‑11.5) must, within the time Ville de Québec specifies, give its opinion on an application for authorization filed under section 49, 64 or 65 for which the city exercises the powers conferred by this chapter.

If Ville de Montréal files such an application with the Commission, the same applies in the case of any council for cultural heritage matters that is referred to in the second paragraph of section 164 of this Act.

2016, c. 31, s. 40; 2017, c. 16, s. 34.

179.6. The council of Ville de Québec and the council of Ville de Montréal may, by by-law and to the extent they determine, delegate to their respective executive committees the exercise of all or some of the powers provided for in this Act that each city exercises under this chapter, except the regulatory powers provided for in subparagraphs 2 and 3 of the first paragraph and in the second paragraph of section 80.

Likewise, the council of Ville de Québec may delegate to the Commission d’urbanisme et de conservation de Québec the exercise of all or some of the powers of authorization provided for in this Act that the city exercises under this chapter. In such a case, the first paragraph of section 179.5 does not apply.

The by-law may, among other things, provide that a power relating to a particular intervention may be excluded when such powers are delegated.

2016, c. 31, s. 40; 2017, c. 16, s. 35.

179.7. The Minister communicates to Ville de Québec and Ville de Montréal all documents and information, including personal information, enabling the cities to ensure compliance with this Act as regards the powers they exercise under this chapter.

Ville de Québec and Ville de Montréal communicate to the Minister all documents and information, including personal information, that arise from the exercise by the cities of the powers conferred by this chapter and enabling the Minister to ensure compliance with this Act.

2016, c. 31, s. 40; 2017, c. 16, s. 36.

179.8. Ville de Québec must, not later than 9 June 2019 and subsequently every five years, report to the Minister on the carrying out of this chapter. The same applies in the case of Ville de Montréal, not later than 21 September 2020 and subsequently every five years.

The Minister tables the reports within the next 30 days in the National Assembly or, if the Assembly is not sitting, within 30 days of resumption.

2016, c. 31, s. 40; 2017, c. 16, s. 37.

CHAPTER VII INSPECTIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS

180. For the purposes of Chapters I, III and V and the regulations made under this Act by the Government and the Minister, the Minister may authorize a person to act as an inspector and to enter at any reasonable time the premises of a heritage property, an archaeological property or site, or a protection area, and there to carry out the excavations and expert work required, including

(1)  take photographs or make recordings of the premises and the property found on them, take samples free of charge and conduct analyses; and

(2)  require any information pertaining to the application of this Act or the regulations, or require the release, for examination or copying purposes, of any document pertaining to their application.

The first paragraph also applies with respect to

(1)  property that may have heritage value, in order to establish whether there is a real or perceived threat of significant degradation; and

(2)  any immovable designated in the notice of intent to establish a protection area.

2011, c. 21, s. 180.

181. No person may be prosecuted for an act performed in good faith while acting as an inspector.

2011, c. 21, s. 181.

182. The Minister may designate a person to act as investigator in any matter relating to the application of this Act and the regulations.

For the purposes of an inquiry, the investigator has the powers and immunity of commissioners appointed under the Act respecting public inquiry commissions (chapter C-37), except the power to impose imprisonment.

2011, c. 21, s. 182.

183. If so requested, the inspector or the investigator must produce a certificate of authority signed by the Minister.

2011, c. 21, s. 183.

184. Inspectors may, in the course of an inspection, immediately seize anything that they have reasonable grounds to believe may be used as evidence of an offence against this Act or the regulations.

The rules established in Division IV of Chapter III of the Code of Penal Procedure (chapter C-25.1), with the necessary modifications, apply to the things seized.

2011, c. 21, s. 184.

CHAPTER VIII PENALTIES AND REMEDIES

DIVISION I PROVISIONS COMMON TO ALL ELEMENTS OF PROTECTED CULTURAL HERITAGE

185. A person named or designated in an order of the Superior Court described in section 195 or 203, an order of the Minister described in sections 76 and 77, an order of the municipality described in sections 148 and 149 or a decision of a judge under section 76, 77, 148 or 149 who transgresses the order or decision or refuses to comply with it, and any person not designated who knowingly contravenes the order or decision, is guilty of contempt of court.

The person may be condemned by the competent court, in accordance with the procedure set out in articles 57 to 62 of the Code of Civil Procedure (chapter C-25.01), to a fine with or without imprisonment for a period of up to one year. A natural person is liable to a fine of $2,000 to $100,000 and a legal person is liable to a fine of $6,000 to $200,000.

2011, c. 21, s. 185; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP).

186. A person who assists another person in committing an offence under this Act or who encourages, advises, allows, authorizes or orders another person to commit an offence under this Act is guilty of an offence.

A person convicted under this section is liable to the same penalty as is prescribed for the offence committed by the other person.

2011, c. 21, s. 186.

187. A person who hinders in any way the action of a person authorized to exercise a power under this Act or a person authorized by the municipality to exercise powers of inspection for the purpose of verifying compliance with this Act, prevents that person from carrying out the excavations or expert work required, including taking samples or photographs or making recordings of the premises or property the person is entitled to take or make under this Act, makes a false statement to such a person or refuses to provide assistance, information, documents or copies of documents or objects the person is entitled to require or examine under this Act, is guilty of an offence.

A natural person is liable to a fine of $2,000 to $30,000 and a legal person is liable to a fine of $6,000 to $180,000.

2011, c. 21, s. 187.

188. For a second offence, the minimum and maximum fines prescribed in this chapter are doubled, and for a subsequent offence, they are tripled.

2011, c. 21, s. 188.

189. In any proceedings relating to an offence under this chapter, proof that an offence under this Act was committed by a person’s agent, mandatary or employee is sufficient to establish that it was committed by that person unless it is established that the person exercised due diligence, taking all the necessary precautions to prevent the commission of the offence.

If the person who committed an offence under this Act is a partnership or a legal person, each partner or each director of the legal person who authorized or allowed the commission of the offence is deemed to be a party to the offence.

2011, c. 21, s. 189.

190. In the case of a partner or the director of a legal person who commits an offence under this Act, the minimum and maximum fines that would apply in the case of a natural person are doubled.

2011, c. 21, s. 190.

191. An application filed under section 195, 196, 203 or 204 must be heard and decided by preference.

2011, c. 21, s. 191; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP).

192. Penal proceedings for an offence under this Act are prescribed one year after the date the prosecutor is made aware of the commission of the offence. However, no proceedings may be instituted if more than five years have elapsed since the date of the offence.

2011, c. 21, s. 192.

193. The fines collected under this chapter are paid into the Québec Cultural Heritage Fund established under section 22.1 of the Act respecting the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications (chapter M-17.1), except those collected under section 207, which are the property of the prosecutor.

2011, c. 21, s. 193.

DIVISION II SPECIAL PROVISIONS RESPECTING CULTURAL HERITAGE PROTECTED BY THE MINISTER OR THE GOVERNMENT

194. The alienation of classified heritage property in contravention of this Act is absolutely null. The right of action to have such nullity recognized is not subject to prescription.

2011, c. 21, s. 194.

195. The Minister may obtain an order of the Superior Court for the cessation of an act or operation undertaken or continued without the authorization required under section 47 to 49, 64 or 65 or carried out in contravention of the conditions referred to in section 50, 53.6, 66, 67.3 or 67.4. The Minister may also obtain an order of the Superior Court to have the necessary work carried out to preserve the heritage value of a classified heritage property whose owner fails to comply with section 26.

In addition, in the case of an act or operation undertaken or continued without the authorization required under any of sections 47 to 49, 64 or 65 or carried out in contravention of the conditions referred to in section 50, 53.6, 66, 67.3 or 67.4, the Minister may obtain an order of the Superior Court to have the necessary work carried out to bring the property into conformity with the conditions determined by a regulation made by the Government under subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph of section 80.1, with the conditions of an authorization or with the conditions the Minister could have imposed had an application for authorization been filed with the Minister under this Act, to return the property to its former condition or to demolish a construction.

The work is carried out at the expense of the owner or, in the case of a heritage document, object or ensemble, at the expense of the custodian.

If the owner or custodian of the property fails to carry out the work or demolition within the time allotted by the Court, the Court may authorize the Minister to do so. The cost of the work or demolition incurred by the Minister is a prior claim on the property, of the same nature and with the same rank as the claims described in paragraph 4 of article 2651 of the Civil Code; the cost is secured by a legal hypothec on the property.

2011, c. 21, s. 195; 2021, c. 10, s. 73.

196. The division, subdivision or parcelling out of an immovable in contravention of section 49 or 64 may be annulled. Any interested party, including the Minister, may apply to the Superior Court for a declaration of nullity.

2011, c. 21, s. 196; 2021, c. 10, s. 74.

197. An authorization of the Minister required under this Act may be revoked or amended by the Minister if it was obtained on the basis of inaccurate or incomplete information. Before revoking or amending an authorization, the Minister must notify the interested person in writing as prescribed by section 5 of the Act respecting administrative justice (chapter J-3) and allow the interested person at least 10 days to submit observations.

The Minister must substantiate the decision and notify the interested person of it in writing.

2011, c. 21, s. 197.

198. A person who sells a classified heritage property without giving the Minister the prior written notice required under section 54 or who sells or gives a classified heritage document, object or ensemble away without the Minister’s authorization required under section 52 is guilty of an offence and is liable, in the case of a natural person, to a fine of $2,000 to $190,000 and, in the case of a legal person, to a fine of $6,000 to $1,140,000.

2011, c. 21, s. 198; 2021, c. 10, s. 75.

199. A person who gives the Minister a prior written notice that does not contain the particulars required under section 54 is guilty of an offence and is liable, in the case of a natural person, to a fine of $800 to $10,000 and, in the case of a legal person, to a fine of $2,400 to $60,000.

2011, c. 21, s. 199.

200. A person who does not give the Minister the notice required under section 27 is guilty of an offence and is liable, in the case of a natural person, to a fine of $500 to $5,000 and, in the case of a legal person, to a fine of $1,500 to $30,000.

2011, c. 21, s. 200.

201. A person who contravenes section 26, 47, 49, 64 or 68, the first paragraph of section 48, the last paragraph of section 69, any of the conditions set by the Government under subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph of section 80.1 or by the Minister under section 50, section 53.6, section 66 or section 67.3 in connection with the Minister’s authorization under section 47, 48, 49 or 64, or under section 67.4 in connection with any act other than the posting of a sign or billboard, or who contravenes a regulatory provision whose violation constitutes an offence under paragraph 3 of section 81 is guilty of an offence and is liable, in the case of a natural person, to a fine of $2,000 to $250,000 and, in the case of a legal person, to a fine of $6,000 to $1,140,000.

2011, c. 21, s. 201; 2021, c. 10, s. 76.

202. A person who does not immediately inform the Minister of the discovery of an archaeological property or site in accordance with section 74 or who contravenes section 65 or 72 or any of the conditions set by the Government under subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph of section 80.1 or by the Minister under section 66 or 67.3 in connection with the Minister’s authorization under section 65 or under section 67.4 in connection with a sign or billboard is guilty of an offence and is liable, in the case of a natural person, to a fine of $2,000 to $30,000 and, in the case of a legal person, to a fine of $6,000 to $180,000.

2011, c. 21, s. 202; 2021, c. 10, s. 77.

DIVISION III SPECIAL PROVISIONS RESPECTING CULTURAL HERITAGE PROTECTED BY MUNICIPALITIES

203. An interested person, including a municipality, may obtain an order of the Superior Court for the cessation of an act or operation undertaken or continued without the authorization required under section 141 or without the notice required under section 139 or carried out in contravention of the conditions referred to in section 137, 138 or 141. The interested person may also obtain an order of the Superior Court to have the necessary work carried out to preserve the heritage value of a recognized heritage property whose owner fails to comply with section 136.

In addition, in the case of an act or operation undertaken or continued without the authorization required under section 141 or without the prior notice required under section 139 or carried out in contravention of the conditions referred to in section 137, 138 or 141, an interested person, including a municipality, may obtain an order of the Superior Court to have the necessary work carried out to bring the property into conformity with the conditions referred to in section 137, 138 or 141 or with the conditions the municipality could have imposed had prior notice been given or had an application for authorization been filed with the municipality under this Act, to return the property to its former condition or to demolish a construction.

The work is carried out at the expense of the owner.

If the owner or custodian of the property fails to carry out the work or demolition within the time allotted by the Court, the Court may authorize the municipality to do so. The cost of the work or demolition incurred by the municipality is a prior claim on the property, of the same nature and with the same rank as the claims described in paragraph 5 of article 2651 of the Civil Code; the cost is secured by a legal hypothec on the property.

2011, c. 21, s. 203.

204. The division, subdivision or parcelling out of an immovable in contravention of section 141 may be annulled. Any interested party, including the municipality in whose territory the immovable is situated, may apply to the Superior Court for a declaration of nullity.

2011, c. 21, s. 204; 2021, c. 10, s. 78.

205. A person who contravenes section 136, 139 or 141 or any of the conditions set out by the municipality under section 137, 138 or 141 is guilty of an offence and is liable, in the case of a natural person, to a fine of $2,000 to $250,000 and, in the case of a legal person, to a fine of $6,000 to $1,140,000.

2011, c. 21, s. 205; 2021, c. 10, s. 79.

206. A person who fails to comply with the requirement to make archaeological excavations or surveys in a zone of heritage interest in the cases and circumstances determined by by-law under section 150 is guilty of an offence and is liable, in the case of a natural person, to a fine of $2,000 to $30,000 and, in the case of a legal person, to a fine of $6,000 to $180,000.

2011, c. 21, s. 206.

207. Penal proceedings for an offence under this division or Division I of this chapter may be instituted by

(1)  a municipality if the offence concerns cultural heritage protected by the municipality and was committed on its territory. Penal proceedings may be instituted before the competent municipal court;

(2)  a Native community described in section 118, represented by its band council, if the offence concerns cultural heritage protected by the community and is committed on the lands of the reserve or on the lands to which the Naskapi and the Cree-Naskapi Commission Act (S.C. 1984, c. 18) applies.

Fines collected under this section belong to the prosecutor.

2011, c. 21, s. 207; I.N. 2022-02-01.

CHAPTER IX NATIONAL HERITAGE SITE

208. The group of buildings consisting of the Parliament Building, the Pamphile-Le May building, the Honoré-Mercier building, the Jean-Antoine-Panet building and the André-Laurendeau building, together with the land described in Schedule I, is hereby declared a national heritage site.

2011, c. 21, s. 208.

CHAPTER X AMENDING PROVISIONS

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION ACT

209. (Amendment integrated into c. A-6.001, Schedule 1).

2011, c. 21, s. 209.

ACT RESPECTING LAND USE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

210. (Amendment integrated into c. A-19.1, s. 5).

2011, c. 21, s. 210.

ARCHIVES ACT

211. (Amendment integrated into c. A-21.1, ss. 11, 16, 22, 38).

2011, c. 21, s. 211.

ACT RESPECTING REGISTRY OFFICES

212. (Amendment integrated into c. B-9, s. 12).

2011, c. 21, s. 212.

CHARTER OF VILLE DE GATINEAU

213. (Amendment integrated into c. C-11.1, s. 23).

2011, c. 21, s. 213.

CHARTER OF VILLE DE LÉVIS

214. (Amendment integrated into c. C-11.2, s. 32).

2011, c. 21, s. 214.

CHARTER OF VILLE DE LONGUEUIL

215. (Amendment integrated into c. C-11.3, s. 34).

2011, c. 21, s. 215.

216. (Amendment integrated into c. C-11.3, s. 58.2).

2011, c. 21, s. 216.

CHARTER OF VILLE DE MONTRÉAL

217. (Amendment integrated into c. C-11.4, s. 34).

2011, c. 21, s. 217.

218. (Amendment integrated into c. C-11.4, s. 89).

2011, c. 21, s. 218.

219. (Amendment integrated into c. C-11.4, s. 89.1).

2011, c. 21, s. 219.

220. (Amendment integrated into c. C-11.4, Schedule C).

2011, c. 21, s. 220.

CHARTER OF VILLE DE QUÉBEC

221. (Amendment integrated into c. C-11.5, s. 32).

2011, c. 21, s. 221.

222. (Amendment integrated into c. C-11.5, s. 74.4).

2011, c. 21, s. 222.

223. (Amendment integrated into c. C-11.5, Schedule C).

2011, c. 21, s. 223.

224. (Amendment integrated into c. C-11.5, Schedule C).

2011, c. 21, s. 224.

225. (Amendment integrated into c. C-11.5, Schedule C).

2011, c. 21, s. 225.

ACT RESPECTING THE NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION

226. (Amendment integrated into c. C-33.1, s. 14).

2011, c. 21, s. 226.

ACT RESPECTING ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUMS IN MUNICIPALITIES

227. (Amendment integrated into c. E-2.2, s. 285.4).

2011, c. 21, s. 227.

ELECTION ACT

228. (Amendment integrated into c. E-3.3, s. 259.4).

2011, c. 21, s. 228.

ACT RESPECTING MUNICIPAL TAXATION

229. (Amendment integrated into c. F-2.1, ss. 253.33, 253.48, 253.60).

2011, c. 21, s. 229.

230. (Amendment integrated into c. F-2.1, s. 261.1).

2011, c. 21, s. 230.

TAXATION ACT

231. (Amendment integrated into c. I-3, s. 232).

2011, c. 21, s. 231.

232. (Amendment integrated into c. I-3, ss. 710.2, 710.2.1, 712.0.1, 752.0.10.4, 752.0.10.4.0.1, 752.0.10.7, 1129.17).

2011, c. 21, s. 232.

233. (Amendment integrated into c. I-3, ss. 710.3, 752.0.10.4.1).

2011, c. 21, s. 233.

234. (Amendment integrated into c. I-3, s. 1129.21).

2011, c. 21, s. 234.

ACT RESPECTING ADMINISTRATIVE JUSTICE

235. (Amendment integrated into c. J-3, Schedule II).

2011, c. 21, s. 235.

ACT RESPECTING THE MINISTÈRE DE LA CULTURE ET DES COMMUNICATIONS

236. (Amendment integrated into c. M-17.1, s. 22.1).

2011, c. 21, s. 236.

237. (Amendment integrated into c. M-17.1, s. 22.3).

2011, c. 21, s. 237.

ACT RESPECTING THE PRESERVATION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND AND AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES

238. (Amendment integrated into c. P-41.1, s. 97).

2011, c. 21, s. 238.

ENVIRONMENT QUALITY ACT

239. (Amendment integrated into c. Q-2, s. 31.9).

2011, c. 21, s. 239.

ACT RESPECTING THE RÉGIE DU LOGEMENT

240. (Amendment integrated into c. R-8.1, s. 35).

2011, c. 21, s. 240.

CHAPTER XI TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

241. For the municipal fiscal year 2012, a classified heritage property not used for commercial purposes may be exempted from property tax to the extent and under the conditions provided by regulation of the Government up to one half of the value entered on the assessment roll of the local municipality in whose territory it is situated.

For a heritage property exempted from property tax under the first paragraph, the Minister shall, for the municipal fiscal year 2012, pay the local municipality on whose assessment roll the heritage property is entered an amount equal to the amount of the reduction granted, at the times and on the conditions determined by regulation of the Government.

Until new regulations are made by the Government under this section, the regulations under sections 33 and 53 of the Cultural Property Act (chapter B-4) continue to apply for the purposes of this section.

2011, c. 21, s. 241.

242. Cultural property classified or recognized before 19 October 2012 becomes classified heritage property under this Act. Archaeological sites classified before that date become classified heritage sites under this Act. As for historic sites classified before that date, they become classified heritage sites under this Act, except historic sites classified before 22 March 1978, which become classified heritage immovables. However, archaeological sites classified before 22 March 1978 both as such and as historic sites become classified heritage sites.

2011, c. 21, s. 242.

243. Historic monuments designated as such before 19 October 2012 become recognized heritage immovables under this Act.

2011, c. 21, s. 243.

244. Protected areas established for a historic monument classified before 19 October 2012 become protection areas for classified heritage immovables under this Act. For historic monuments classified before 2 April 1986, the protection area is an area with a perimeter 152 m from the immovable, subject to any change made by the Minister.

2011, c. 21, s. 244.

245. Historic districts and natural districts declared as such before 19 October 2012 become heritage sites declared as such under this Act.

2011, c. 21, s. 245.

246. Heritage sites established before 19 October 2012 become heritage sites recognized under this Act.

2011, c. 21, s. 246.

247. Sections 242 to 246 have effect for as long as it is not decided otherwise under this Act.

2011, c. 21, s. 247.

248. A classification or declaration process begun under the Cultural Property Act (chapter B-4) continues under the provisions of this Act relating to the classification or declaration process.

2011, c. 21, s. 248.

249. A process for the designation of a historic monument or for the establishment of a heritage site begun under the Cultural Property Act (chapter B-4) continues under the provisions of this Act relating to the heritage recognition process.

2011, c. 21, s. 249.

250. The register referred to in section 11 of the Cultural Property Act (chapter B-4) becomes the cultural heritage register referred to in section 5 of this Act.

2011, c. 21, s. 250.

251. The processing of an application for authorization filed with the Minister or a local municipality or of a prior notice given such a municipality under the Cultural Property Act (chapter B-4) before 19 October 2012 continues under this Act.

2011, c. 21, s. 251.

252. The alienation of classified cultural property, other than movable property, made before 19 October 2012 is deemed to have been authorized in accordance with section 32 of the Cultural Property Act (chapter B-4) in force at the time of the alienation.

2011, c. 21, s. 252.

253. The chair and vice-chair of the Commission des biens culturels du Québec in office on 18 October 2012 continue in office as chair and vice-chair of the Conseil du patrimoine culturel du Québec on the same terms, for the unexpired portion of their term, until they are replaced or reappointed.

The other members of the Commission des biens culturels du Québec in office on 18 October 2012 continue in office as members of the Conseil du patrimoine culturel du Québec on the same terms, for the unexpired portion of their term, until they are replaced or reappointed under section 87.

2011, c. 21, s. 253.

254. The processing of a request to determine the fair market value of cultural property submitted to the Commission des biens culturels du Québec before 19 October 2012 is continued by the Conseil du patrimoine culturel du Québec, which will rule on the request in accordance with sections 103 to 106 of this Act.

In addition, from 19 October 2012, sections 107 to 116 of this Act govern an appeal to have the fair market value set by the Commission des biens culturels du Québec in the certificate provided for in section 7.14 of the Cultural Property Act (chapter B-4) varied. For that purpose and for the purposes of the Taxation Act (chapter I-3), a certificate issued under section 7.14 of the Cultural Property Act is deemed to be a certificate issued under section 105 of this Act.

2011, c. 21, s. 254.

255. The files, records, other documents and movable property of the Commission des biens culturels du Québec become the files, records, other documents and movable property of the Conseil du patrimoine culturel du Québec.

2011, c. 21, s. 255.

256. The sums allocated to the Commission des biens culturels du Québec are transferred to the Conseil du patrimoine culturel du Québec.

2011, c. 21, s. 256.

257. The personnel of the Commission des biens culturels du Québec become the personnel of the Conseil du patrimoine culturel du Québec.

2011, c. 21, s. 257.

258. In any statute or statutory instrument, contract, order, program or other document, a reference to a provision of the Cultural Property Act (chapter B-4) is a reference to the corresponding provision of this Act.

2011, c. 21, s. 258.

259. Wherever it appears in a document, “national historic site” is replaced by “national heritage site”.

2011, c. 21, s. 259.

260. Regulations made under the Cultural Property Act (chapter B-4), including the by-laws of the Commission des biens culturels du Québec approved by the Government, remain, with the necessary modifications, in force to the extent that they are consistent with this Act, until they are replaced or repealed by a regulation under this Act. The by-laws of the Commission des biens culturels du Québec apply to the Conseil du patrimoine culturel.

2011, c. 21, s. 260.

261. The Minister may obtain an order of the Superior Court referred to in section 195 of this Act with regard to an act or operation undertaken or continued before 19 October 2012 in contravention of section 31, 31.1, 48, 49, 50 or 50.1 of the Cultural Property Act (chapter B-4).

2011, c. 21, s. 261.

261.1. The processing of an application for authorization filed for an intervention referred to in section 179.1 and, submitted to the Minister before 9 June 2017 to the extent that that section applies to Ville de Québec, or before 21 September 2018 to the extent that it applies to Ville de Montréal, is continued by the Minister until an authorization is issued or denied.

2016, c. 31, s. 41; 2017, c. 16, s. 38.

261.1.1. Ville de Québec and Ville de Montréal may not, under the powers conferred on them by Chapter VI.1, issue an authorization for an intervention for which authorization was denied by the Minister on or after 9 June 2012 in the case of Ville de Québec, or on or after 21 September 2012 in the case of Ville de Montréal, or for which authorization was denied under section 261.1.

2016, c. 31, s. 41; 2017, c. 16, s. 39.

261.2. Ville de Québec and Ville de Montréal are responsible for the administration of sections 180, 183 to 192, 195 to 197, 201, 202 and 261 in relation to an authorization referred to in section 261.1 or an authorization issued by the Minister before 9 June 2017 in the case of Ville de Québec, or before 21 September 2018 in the case of Ville de Montréal, for an intervention referred to in section 179.1. The same applies in the case of contraventions of section 49, 64 or 65 that occurred or began before those dates and that concern interventions referred to in section 179.1.

To that end, the cities may, among other things, institute penal proceedings before the competent municipal court for an offence under this Act. In such a case, any fine belongs to the cities.

Despite the first two paragraphs, civil proceedings, brought either as plaintiff or defendant, in all contestations for or against the State, as well as penal proceedings in progress on 9 June 2017 in the case of Ville de Québec, or on 21 September 2018 in the case of Ville de Montréal, in relation to an intervention referred to in section 179.1, are continued by the Attorney General of Québec or the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions for the State, as applicable.

2016, c. 31, s. 41; 2017, c. 16, s. 40.

262. (Omitted).

2011, c. 21, s. 262.

263. The Minister of Culture and Communications is responsible for the administration of this Act.

2011, c. 21, s. 263.

264. For the fiscal year 2012-2013 and to the extent determined by the Government, the sums required for the purposes of this Act are taken out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

2011, c. 21, s. 264.

265. (Omitted).

2011, c. 21, s. 265.

SCHEDULE I

(Section 208)

LAND OF THE NATIONAL HERITAGE SITE

That part of the territory bounded as follows by the following avenue, boulevard and streets, situated in the territory of Ville de Québec: on the northwest, by the southeast side of Boulevard René-Lévesque Est, on the northeast, by the southwest side of Avenue Honoré-Mercier, on the southeast, by the northwest side of Grande Allée Est, on the southwest, by the northeast side of Rue des Parlementaires, on the southeast, by the northwest side of Rue Saint-Amable and on the southwest, by the northeast side of Rue Louis-Alexandre-Taschereau.

2011, c. 21, Schedule I.